Exhibits

Explore the history of College Park Airport, its significant aviation firsts, and other onsite and online exhibits.

Museum Exhibits

Stop by the museum to see our exhibits exploring the history of College Park Airport and aviation in Maryland

New exhibit now open!

Learn more about the exhibit

Open May 2026 - May 2027

6.3 Model B RG-342-FH_Box206-Berliner005.jpg

New exhibit now open!

The untold history of the world’s

first controlled helicopter

at College Park Airport

Columbia Air Center - Determined to Fly

Our upcoming groundbreaking, interactive exhibit will tell the overlooked history of Columbia Air Center, the first licensed Black-owned and operated airport in the nation, operating in Croom, Prince George’s County, MD from 1940-1962.

Learn more about the Columbia Air Center

CP Day 9-24-16 photo copyright Michael G. Stewart CPAM093.jpg

Aircraft on Display

Explore the planes that have flown at College Park Airport

on display at the College Park Aviation Museum

Learn More

The Airport's History

In 1909, after proving the practicality of aviation to the U.S. Army, Wilbur Wright trained the first generation of military aviators at a new airfield in what would come to be known as College Park.

The College Park Airport has been home to a century of aviation history, and still operates today, making it the oldest continually operated airport in the world. It is home to many “firsts” in aviation and is particularly significant for the well-known aviators and aviation inventors who played a part in this field’s long history.

Founding of the College Park Airport

A Field of Firsts

College Park Airport is known as the "Field of Firsts" for the many aviation "firsts" that happened at the field throughout its history.

Click through the gallery of photos to explore some of those firsts.

First aerial photograph of College Park, site of the first military aviation school, 1911

First military aviation school in the U.S.

This first aerial photo of College Park was taken September 19, 1911. College Park Airfield was the site of the nation's first military aviation school when the U.S. Army Signal Corp set up a school to teach officers to fly from 1911-1913.

The testing of the Berliner helicopter at College Park by father and son duo Emile and Henry Berliner in 1924, the first controlled helicopter flight

First controlled helicopter flight

Father and son duo Emile and Henry Berliner tested an experimental helicopter at College Park Airport from 1920-1925. The Model B (pictured) performed the first controlled vertical flight on June 16, 1922. The Berliners were the first incorporate a tail rotor. The Model B was the first Berliner helicopter to have an airplane body, or fuselage. This was so make landings safer and help the machine turn.