Aircraft moved from the Air Force Museum at Patterson Field down State Route 444 to the new home at historic Wright Field during 1970.

Thanks to the Air Force Museum Foundation, a philanthropic, nonprofit organization founded in 1960, a new $6.5 million museum building opened in 1971 on a 400acre site at historic Wright Field. President Richard M. Nixon highlighted formal dedication ceremonies in September that year. Public contributions covered the entire cost of the 800by240foot building, which was designed especially for display of aircraft and provided indoor protection for nearly 100 aircraft. The museum added a $1 million visitor reception center in 1976, again through contributions made by the public to the foundation.