Hiller Aviation Museum on Smithsonian's Free Museum Day

Boy, it's a blast for Leonard and to me at some degree. This museum is very 80's style, and that means A LOT OF actual displays / replicas, but at the same time, very 80's technology associated with them (i.e. not too high tech). That's why kids will luv it, like Leo, but not teenagers.

Part of the reasons, I think, is due to how the place is currently ran. It's operated by senior citizens, and I would guess that they are either volunteers and people associated with the Hiller foundation. As a result, the lack of new blood + funding = lack of new stuff. (In fact, the museum has quite a # of pics on how they got the replicas/displays...back in the 80's!). Having said that, the museum layout is actually quite weak. A BIG center hall for reception purpose / group gather, 1/3 size of the indoor museum, is pretty much empty. 1/3 of it is for all those displays. The last 1/3 is divided into 4 sections, 1/5 of it looks to be a break/meeting room for staff, 2/5 for a combo of "restoration" and library, with the remaining a gift store. The restoration room is pretty much full of stuff (a.k.a junk) but with no staff to restore anythg. In fact, given the age of the people I saw working there, I high doubted that anythg can be restored now within their lifetimes. The library...now come on? Who's gonna spend time reading in a library in an aviation museum (that's why it's so 80's!). The biggest problem with the gift store is that, it's essentially a kid's toys store, with over 95% of the merchandise either toys or kids stuff like clothings. I hardly see anything that is related to Hiller Aviation Museum, its foundation, museum of similar type, NASA stuff, adult's toys (like mini-replicas), etc. BTW, the kids stuff AREN'T CHEAP @ ALL. I've been to a few other aviation museums here in the US, and this one's definitely the 2nd lowest in ranking (#1 is the aviation museum right next to Kennedy Space Center in Florida, operated by retired NSAS staff). It has (5 yr ago) nothing interesting other than a space ship simulator.

Now, after all the complaints, let me just wrap it up by saying, "we did have an EXCELLENT time!" Don't believe me? Then take a look at Leo piloting in the cockpit of a 747 from...well, u've guessed it, 80's!





Oh, and yes, a week ago we went to Gilroy Gardens again. It was a much better experience this time than when we went during Labor Day Wkend. Much short lineups = Leo + Caitlyn could play lots more ride. Look @ the 2 little bro&sis riding the Illinois Carousel together...