Moffett Field Historical Society

I spent much time to way on this field but they provide in its exposition only some old staff. Cockpit exposition was closed and old woman that I told didn’t want to open it without any comments or regret.
Service is bad. Don’t spend you time on this.

A gem of a small museum packed with interesting facts and memorabilia. Also excellent docents to help explain and better appreciate displays. Really a nice way to spend a couple hours.

Must visit place for kids and adults who has interest on aviation and history. Small place with lots of info and more importantly enthusiastically explaining volunteers.

This museum is located only about a mile down from the NASA Ames Center. You do have to pull up to an armed guard and tell him that you are going to the museum to get through. There is a large parking lot and close spots for those who need an easy entrance. I made the mistake of walking through the side door and was politely directed to the entrance by a Vietnam Veteran. I was greeted by a very nice lady and paid my admission of $ 8.
This is probably one of the most friendly museums I have ever been too. It is ran by Veterans and they were all so kind and generous with their knowledge of the items in the museum. They are very happy people and were so kind to all the children that were running around!
If you like historical uniforms then you will love this museum. There were so many uniforms on display throughout. A lot of them even had photos of the actually servicemen and servicewomen who wore them! Very Interesting! I did a complete review on my new blog if you want to see lots more photos!

I had no idea this museum existed until I came here with a friend and our families. Yes, you have to get through Moffett security, but as long as you tell them that you want to visit the museum then the guards will let you through, unless there is a special security condition in effect. The museum is a nice look into the installation’s past. At first I was a little put out by the admission fee, as it seemed to be a mostly a collection of old photographs, disabled ordnance, and uniforms on headless mannequins that seem just a little creepy. However, the friendly and highly knowledgeable docents more than make up for the ultimately nominal cost of entrance, as they will give you an excellent history of Moffett. Definitely worth a visit.

This little gem of a museum is tucked away beside Hangar One. The dedicated docents are very knowledgeable and happy to share their knowledge about Moffett Field in its heyday.
The exhibits are organized chronologically starting with the 1930s. Museum visitors can enjoy a self-​guided tour, or can arrange for a tour with one of our dedicated docents, many of whom have literally ‘walked the talk’ during their service to our country.
Google is supposed to be restoring Hangar One to its former glory (minus the toxic materials). That project will cost multi-​millions, It would be great if Google would provide an annual endowment to keep this wonderful repository of local history open to the public for years to come.
NOTE: To maintain base security, all visitors will be asked to show a photo ID when entering at the main gate. Museum is open 10AM-​2PM Wed thru Saturday and upon request for groups.

Really enjoyed this museum! It is small but a salute to the WWII generation. Great for older school children and teens.
Tell the gate guard you’re going to the museum, the drive straight to the hanger, turn right and park. We brought a lunch and let the kids run around near the bomber for fun.

I went here before heading off to see the Collings Foundations’ B-​17 and B-​24. We parked right next to the museum, across the road from the skeleton of the hangar. I wish I could have been here years earlier when the hangar was covered.
The docents are all extremely nice and friendly. They answered every question my cousin and I had eagerly. By far the highlight of the museum is the zeppelin exhibit. Lots of pictures to see, cool models to look at, and all to scale for comparison. Again, I wish I could have seen the real thing with my own eyes.
If you’re going, don’t forget to check out the model train exhibit. Unless you take a potty break during your visit, you won’t find it. Basically, pretend you’re going to the bathroom, and then turn left. The kids will love it, but that room is cramped.
I only wish I could have seen that dog tag machine in action, I should have walked over when I heard it working.

The small museum packed with lot of objects and models, books and news papers, photos and descriptions. It’s about history of Hanger, airship, airplane, war and more.
The docent/​veterans are not only very friendly, knowledgable, but also very enjoyable, always describe with their own experiences and humour.
They have a meeting facility, library and small gift shop — named Hanger 4.
If’s worth a visit, maybe before visit NASA Ames Research Center. The museum is inside of the Moffett Field.

I would love to add a review, but we were blocked from entering today by a needle dicked, security guard, with a gun, mirrored aviator shades (border guard), and an attitude that was right out of central casting. He was full of rules, only asked if we were there on official business, and poked the air to make each of his points in a way that made him look like a break dancer. He was just full of himself! He spied me mocking him in the car with my break dance hand moves and forbade me from entering because I was a jerk.
He was explaining to my brother that he would let him go to the museum but if he went anywhere else he would be in violation and would be arrested immediately. He was wildly gesticulating to emphasize each of his officious and needlessly strict points. But, he continued, I was not allowed in because I was a jerk. Ah, yes, your tax dollars at work.
And he had the most silly looking belt on: it held not only his side arm, but also a series of black leather pouches that entirely encircled him (even in the front) and just made him look even more lame.
A word to the wise: be sure and tell him you want to go to the museum. And be nice. I was tempted to ask him if I could suck his dick. I am sure that would have gotten me arrested for treason.

You will love it more if you let a docent show you the treasures. This is no slick and polished rock and roll hall of fame — this is a cobbled together labor of love.
The real star is the BLIMP — the zeppelin, the dirigible, the reason there’s a jumbo hangar at Moffett Field. Sadly, the blimps crashed, but the models and dioramas live on. Did you know that the blimps supported a battalion of tiny airplanes, called Sparrowhawks? They lived inside the blimp, like tiny male angler fishes, then were recovered after flights by trapeze! Can you even imagine? We could not, but our excellent tour guide and military veteran was ready with a laser pointer, guiding us through the diorama and archival posters.
We visited during Fleet Week, so we also got to see planes using the adjacent runway for active flights, including H211 — the private airplanes owned by Google. Who doesn’t love to watch planes, or even Harrier Jets?
I think this place would be excellent for kids in the 7 – 12 year old age range who are interested in the military, aviation, and world history, as there is a lot to explore, but it’s no children’s museum. It’s a historical society at its heart, and does what societies do best — show off the heritage of its members and allow outsiders to understand why a community seeks to remember and honor its past.

it is full of memorabilia, photos, uniforms, books, and so much amazing and interesting things. It is a treasure trove of things to see. There are great docents that will guide you if you call ahead… John Mascalli was a GREAT guide and really made the history of this place come alive. I never knew most of the info and I am really glad to have made this visit. It’s so close, easy parking, and the museum has something for everyone, including planes and things to check out. Very cool.
Moffett Field has a curious and interesting history. It was charged with the mission to keep our coastline protected and safe. The mapping and observation of the entire USA west coast was accomplished with many strategies, Zeppelins were only the beginning.

We were looking for the Nasa/​Ames center but accidentally drove by it and into the gates of the compound. The security people thought we were coming here so they gave us directions. We got there just as they were closing shop (2:00 PM).
However, the nice docent allowed us to take pictures next to the two planes outside the museum and he let us wander around the museum for 10 mnutes. They didn’t have to do this since they are closed but that was a nice gesture on their part.
The museum may be small but its packed with a lot of historical memorabilia. They even have a dog tag machine. You can get your own personalized dog tag for $ 5!
There’s a small gift shop as well.
We will come back when they are open!

I went to the Moffett Field Museum not knowing what to expect. Honestly, I thought it would be a bit dry… perhaps some photographs of Moffett Field over time and memorabilia from the various squadrons and units stationed there. Well, yes, they have all that, but the museum has so much more. I was rather impressed! There’s a large portion devoted to the dirigibles based at Moffett and it’s really well done and fascinating. The history of Moffett Field itself also turned out to be much more interesting than I knew.
The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Kudos to Diana who gave us a tour of some of the exhibits pointing out particular photos and artifacts and the guy (whose name we didn’t catch) who showed us the Harrier cockpit and tipped us off to the F-18’s scheduled to fly into Moffett that day, which we stuck around for and saw. Also be sure not to miss the Train Museum tucked away in the corner of the building (head towards the restrooms and hang a left). The rather complex model trains were built over time as a leisure activity by military personnel stationed at Moffett.
Well worth the paltry $ 5 adult admission price!

Worth the visit. They have a nice showing of historical items, the volunteer staff is very knowledgeable, and they are working on expending their outside aircraft display. Today they were actually putting in the new tarmac against the museum.