Aviation Museum Expanding, Moving Into New Space At Baltimore County Airport

MIDDLE RIVER, MD — A Middle River aviation museum recently scored a new home in Baltimore County.

The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum is moving from a hangar at Martin State Airport to a larger office building across the street. The expanded space will be dubbed the Maryland Aerospace Heritage Center.

There will be more exhibits, an aviation trade school and an aviation hall of fame. The deal also sparked the environmental rehabilitation of a sensitive area at the airport.

Museum volunteers announced Sunday that they signed a 50-year lease at the former Lockheed Martin Corporation building at 2323 Eastern Blvd. Renovations on the space will begin next month.

History Of Martin State Airport

The museum launched 35 years ago at Martin State Airport, a public airfield and National Guard base constructed by airplane manufacturers at the Glenn L. Martin Company.

The Glenn L. Martin Company built planes for the Allies during World War II, making the Middle River aviation plant the world's largest in 1941. The factory peaked at nearly 54,000 employees, contributing to significant residential development in Eastern Baltimore County.

The museum tells the history of the company and aviation in Maryland. Donors have gifted award pins, ID cards, written memories, Martin publications and war bonds. Limited space at the current site, however, means there's not enough space to display every artifact.

"With these family 'historians', the Museum’s archives [are] overflowing and there are so many artifacts in our collection that currently have no space to exhibit for public viewing. With the new building, the Museum will be able to showcase so many more artifacts and stories of aviation," museum public relations representative Debi Wynn told Patch in a Tuesday email.

The museum aspires to "[carry] on the aviation legacy of Middle River ... and plant roots for future workers in current aviation area jobs," Wynn said.

"We have so many stories to share and while relaying the Martin and other Maryland aviation and space achievements, our goal is to inspire current students and train future generations for aviation technology employment," Wynn said.

Plans For The Museum

The museum will occupy the 141,000-square-foot building last used by defense and aerospace contractor Lockheed Martin. The company said two years ago that it would close the building and relocate or offer remote work for its 465 employees, WMAR reported.

Lockheed Martin agreed to sell the building, the 12.06 acres it sits on and a neighboring 11.775-acre plot to the Maryland Aviation Administration. The real estate was appraised at a combined $9.4 million.

The Maryland Board of Public Works approved the building's sale to the Maryland Aviation Administration at its Feb. 26 meeting. The sale will be finalized on April 26, and renovations will begin soon after.

The Maryland Aviation Administration thinks the deal will "provide a multitude of benefits."

"First, the lease will relieve MAA of all financial burdens of this property and provide shelter for the historical aircraft. This will be a place to provide a celebration of Maryland’s contribution to aerospace and provide educational opportunities for students and tourists," the Maryland Aviation Administration said in materials submitted to the Board of Public Works.

The museum plans to use the basement for storage and conference rooms.

The first floor will feature an auditorium, an events area, an eatery and additional offices. The second story will house the Maryland Aerospace Hall of Fame, exhibit galleries, the library and a gift shop.

A science, technology, engineering and mathematics center will occupy the third floor. The fourth story will be used for aviation school and programs from the Community College of Baltimore County. The top floor will be reserved for museum offices and other leases as needed.

"Most importantly, the museum’s primary goal is to inspire students to enter aviation careers.
The GLMMAM has partnered with the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). CCBC will oversee and administer all education programming associated with the CCBC’s existing
Aviation Program," the Maryland Aviation Administration said.

Lockheed Martin agreed to sell the properties in exchange for receiving environmental remediation control at the airport.

"Pursuant to the terms of the Environmental Remediation Protocol Agreement, MAA will allow LMC to implement environmental remediation activities at the Martin State Airport, specifically the Dump Road Area and contamination site that extends west toward the active runway, directly with and under the authority of the Maryland Department of the Environment," the Maryland Aviation Administration said.

Lockheed Martin must also pay $2.5 million to cover the cost of the projected utility
improvements on the properties.

The museum will remain open at 701 Wilson Point Road, Hangar 5, Suite 531 until the new space is complete. Visitors can learn more at mdairmuseum.org.

This weekend's museum lease announcement was attended by State Sen. Johnny Ray Salling, Del. Nick Allen, Del. Harry Bhandari, Baltimore County Council Member David Marks and Essex-Middle River Civic Council President Josh Sines.