Santa Maria Museum Of Flight

Mission Statement:
To serve as preservationist of past, present, and future aerospace and aeronautical artifacts, historical documents, and memorabilia of the Santa Maria Valley and this Nation.
To provide present and future generations through numerous exhibits, research land media libraries the educational seminars and tours on the aviation history of the Santa Maria Valley and this Nation.
To promote and support General Aviation through events and seminars that encourages individuals to explore the venue of flying and safety.
To produce aviation seminars and activities for the youths residing in the City of Santa Maria and the Santa Maria Valley that will enable them to experience and explore the elements of aviation and aerospace science and technology utilized in flying.

In 1945 the Santa Maria Army Air Field was chosen to be the base for the first jet fighter squadron in the Army Air Force, flying the Bell P-59 aircraft. As the war wound down, this unit transferred to March Field in Riverside, California, and the Santa Maria base was phased out and closed.

The old air base became the present commercial airport, on which the museum is located.