New Mexico State Balloon Museum

Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum

Adopted in 1999.

The Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum was adopted in 1999 as New Mexico State Balloon Museum.

The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum presents the development of ballooning through historic, scientific and artistic objects reflecting world-wide achievements in this field.

New Mexico State Balloon Museum:
Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum

There holdings were brought together through the efforts of the Anderson and Abruzzo families, the City of Albuquerque, various local, national and international supporters, and with the support of the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation. Collections include material donated by individuals directly involved in ballooning endeavors, as well as by ballooning and history enthusiasts from all over the world. We also hold the Soukup and Thomas International Balloon and Airship Museum collection, donated to the City of Albuquerque through the City of Mitchell, South Dakota in 2000.

The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is a 59,000-square foot museum facility designed to house creative and technological exhibits focused on a wide variety of ballooning experiences.

The exhibition space is 25,000 square feet. The museum will also contain creative learning spaces and educational classrooms.

Timeline

• 1978 - Flight of the Double Eagle II: First successful crossing of the Atlantic by a balloon. (Ben, Max, Larry)
• 1979 - The Gordon Bennett balloon race is revived after a 41 year lapse. Maxie Anderson and Ben Abruzzo, in Double Eagle III, win the race on May 29 after having traveled 560 miles in 57 hours and 7 minutes.
• 1980 - Flight of the Kitty Hawk: First successful crossing of the North American Continent.
• 1985 - Flight of the Double Eagle V: First successful Trans-Pacific crossing.
• 1981-1982 - Jules Verne: First around the world attempts
• 1983 - Maxie Anderson and Don Ida killed in ballooning accident in Germany. Michael and Patty Anderson conceive idea of Balloon Museum.
• 1984 - Anderson Foundation is created and Ben Abruzzo and Kris Anderson join board of directors. First $100,000 donation from Ranchers Mining Co.
• 1985 - Ben and Pat Abruzzo die in plane crash in Albuquerque. Museum effort becomes a partnership between Anderson and Abruzzo families. Louis Abruzzo replaces Ben on the Board.
• 1987 - Balloon Museum officially becomes one of the City of Albuquerque's Quality of Life Projects.
• 1987-2001 - Lobbying and fundraising efforts for Museum begin.
• 2001 - Jacques Soukup and Kirk Thomas donate historic ballooning collection to Balloon Museum.
• October 2002 - Museum Ground breaking Ceremony with Mayor Martin Chavez and other dignitaries.
• May 2003 - Museum Construction begins. Click here for some photos!
• Nov 2003 - Anderson Family Foundation pledges $1.5 million for Museum exhibits.

New Mexico Law

The law designating the Anderson-Abruzzo international balloon museum, as the official New Mexico state balloon museum is found in the New Mexico Statutes, Title 12, Article 3, Section 12-3-17.

Chapter 12 - Miscellaneous Public Affairs Matters
Article 3 - State Seal, Song and Symbols
Section 12-3-17 - Official balloon museum. (1999)

Universal Citation: NM Stat § 12-3-17 (2013)

12-3-17. Official balloon museum. (1999)
The Anderson-Abruzzo international balloon museum is the official balloon museum of New Mexico.
History: Laws 1999, ch. 2, § 1 and 1999, ch. 3, § 1.