Houston Historic Air Terminal turns 80 Years Old!
Iconic Art Deco Terminal Celebrates 80 years of honoring Houston history
The 1940 Air Terminal Museum at Hobby Airport celebrates the art deco air terminal turning 80 years old on September 28. The museum will honor this momentous occasion by streaming a live history lecture on Facebook on Saturday September 26 at 1pm.
Opened on September 28, 1940, the air terminal, designed by architect Joseph Finger, served as the administration building for the airport and supported airline operations and air traffic control functions. The first airline tenants were Eastern Airlines and Braniff Airways. In a few short years air travel grew exponentially, and the terminal ceased airline operations in 1956. The building was completely abandoned by 1978 and was left vacant until its resurgence as the 1940 Air Terminal Museum in 2004.
The terminal is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a City of Houston protected landmark. The building has also been awarded a Good Brick Award from Preservation Houston and is also recognized as a Historic Aerospace Site by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
The museum campus currently consists of the 1940 terminal and the 1928 air mail hangar which is believed to be the oldest aviation-related structure still existing in Houston. The Houston Aeronautical Heritage Society is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the 1940 Air Terminal Museum and achieves this through a dedicated all volunteer board of directors along with 2 staff members and an incredible team of museum volunteers ensuring all guests have a wonderful experience.
The 1940 Air Terminal is demonstrating the impact of aviation on Houston’s history and economic development through the prism of architectural beauty and strives to be a space where all can enjoy a multitude of interests such as aviation, art, architecture, history and culture. To further help support the museum and to ensure that the terminal building will be around for at least another 80 years we ask that you consider making a donation in honor of the 80th anniversary. You can do so by visiting the website, Facebook, Instagram or in person at the museum. The museum relies on the generosity of the public to fund the important work we do to preserve the air terminal and to provide educational programming opportunities to all. Without your support it would be impossible to achieve all that has been accomplished thus far.
The 1940 Air Terminal Museum is located at 8325 Travelair Street, Houston, TX 77061 (west side of Hobby Airport) and is open Tuesday – Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 1-5pm. Follow the Museum on Facebook and Instagram @1940atm to stay up to date on upcoming events.
