Cradle of Aviation Museum

Project Title: Cradle of Aviation Museum
Project Location: Garden City, NY
Size:134,538 SF
Date Started: May 1997
Date of Completion: November 1999
Architect: Wiedersum Associates, PC
Owner: County of Nassau - Department of Public Works

The newly constructed Visitors Information Center and IMAX Dome Theater accompany the existing exhibition space at the museum.   The Visitors Center has a dramatic entrance atrium, visitor service facilities, theater, offices and museum store.    

The Leroy R. and Rose W. Grumman IMAX Dome Theater will be one of the 60 largest motion picture theaters in the world.  The 330-seat theater will entertain viewers with sensory experiences of motion, sight and sound.

This 85,000 sf addition and 49,538 sf renovation project encompasses the existing military hangars which have retained their original facade and the interiors that were completely renovated for museum exhibition.   An interior “bridge” allows visitors to observe the planes from an elevated platform.

The Concrete Industry Board with the 1999 Roger H. Corbetta Annual Award honored the Cradle of Aviation Museum.  The award is based on the integration of the architectural design, the engineering design, the general construction and the specific workmanship of the project.