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National Air and Space Museum's Storage Facility Ceasing
   Tours to Allow Artifact Installation at New Center
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The Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration and Storage Facility of 
the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, home since the 
mid-1950s for much of the museum's reserve collection of aviation and 
space artifacts, will cease conducting public tours effective March 
31.

Workers at the popular Suitland, Md. attraction, which houses many 
rare and one-of-a-kind artifacts, will begin devoting all of their 
time to preparing artifacts for the move to the museum's Steven F. 
Udvar-Hazy Center, being constructed at Washington Dulles 
International Airport in Northern Virginia.

General J.R. "Jack" Dailey, director of the museum, said,
"In order to 
open the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in time for the centennial of 
flight, we must begin the process of transporting and installing the 
scores of aircraft and spacecraft that will dynamically depict the 
history, science and technology of flight. Beginning on Dec. 15, 2003, 
visitors to the National Air and Space Museum will be able to 
experience more than ever before-more to see, more to do and more to 
learn."

Among the anchor artifacts to be displayed at the Udvar-Hazy Center 
will be the space shuttle Enterprise, a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird 
reconnaissance aircraft, a rare Boeing 307 Stratoliner, and the Boeing 
B-17 Swoose. More than 70 aircraft and 50 space artifacts will be on 
display for the opening.

The museum's flagship building on the National Mall, which attracts 
some 9 million visitors a year, and the Udvar-Hazy Center will 
comprise the world's largest air and space museum complex.

The Udvar-Hazy Center will eventually house the 80 percent of the 
museum's collection that has not been fully accessible to the public. 
It will also include an observation tower, IMAX theater, classrooms 
and a learning lab, and a food court.

The Garber Facility had been used as a preservation, storage and 
research facility until 1977 when some of the buildings were opened to 
the public for "no frills" tours. Visitors will be able to tour the 
Garber Facility until the end of March, but are asked to make 
arrangements in advance. For reservations and additional information, 
visitors should call (202) 357-1400 (voice) or (202) 357-1505 (TTY) 
between 9 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., Monday through Friday

Located at 3904 Old Silver Hill Road, the facility offers tours Monday
through Friday at 10 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 1 
p.m.

Paul E. Garber (1899-1992), who was associated with the Smithsonian
Institution for 72 years, was responsible for the acquisition of some 
of the National Air and Space Museum's most significant artifacts, 
including Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis. The first curator 
of the museum, Garber retired as historian emeritus and was the 
museum's first Ramsey Fellow.

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The National Air and Space Museum, located at Sixth Street and 
Independence Avenue S.W., is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 
5:30 p.m. The museum will open at 9 a.m. from Friday, May 24, through 
Monday, Sept. 2. The Museum is closed Christmas Day. Admission is 
free.

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