The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon, has a new name—the North American Aerospace Museum.
The museum, which opened in 2001 approximately 50 miles southwest of Portland, is famously known for being the home of the Hughes H-4 Hercules, also known as the “Spruce Goose,”—a name that designer Howard Hughes detested in part because the aircraft is primarily made from birch.
Over the decades the museum has grown from being an eclectic collection of warbirds, civilian trainers, airliners, and space artifacts to a globally recognized educational center and Smithsonian affiliate.
According to museum officials, the name change should be transparent to visitors, as the newly rebranded North American Aerospace Museum (NAAM) will continue to serve as the permanent home of the iconic Spruce Goose, along with visitor favorites such as the SR-71 Blackbird, F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, and Titan II Space Launch Vehicle, along with an extensive collection of over 150 historic aircraft both military and civilian.
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“As we look to the future, our new identity—the North American Aerospace Museum—better encompasses the vast scope of our historical preservation and educational programs,” said museum CEO Scot Laney. “We are tremendously proud of the legacy built here over the last two and a half decades. This rebranding is not an erasure of our past but an elevation of our mission as we step into an exciting new era of aerospace exploration, immersive exhibits, and STEAM-focused community outreach.”
NAAM officials said that while the rebranding marks a major milestone in the evolution of the facility, the museum will continue providing an interactive, hands-on learning environment. All exhibits, including the newly reset interactive aircraft layout and the Aerodrome Giant Screen Theater, will remain fully open and operational.
In addition, the museum will continue to provide the same level of dedication to honor veterans and educate the next generation of aviators, engineers, and scientists.
The museum offers aerospace summer camps and has robust organized programs with the local schools that are well attended. NAAM has also found a balance between science and whimsy in hosting an annual Star Wars Day, where visitors are encouraged to dress in character costumes from the science-fiction franchise.
For more information about the North American Aerospace Museum, upcoming exhibits, or plan a visit, visit the official website (noramaerospace.org) or call 503-434-4180.
