A new exhibition at The Shops at Kenilworth in Towson highlights the history of Middle River’s Martin State Airport with model airplanes and aviation memorabilia throughout the mall.
“Flights in Full Bloom” is being displayed now through June in partnership with The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum.
Greenberg Gibbons, developer of The Shops at Kenilworth, announced on Tuesday the exhibition that will span the mall’s upper and lower levels.
“Flights in Full Bloom brings a unique, immersive aviation experience to The Shops at Kenilworth, offering visitors a fun way to explore local history while they shop and dine this spring,” said Alicyn Emerick, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Greenberg Gibbons, in a statement. “Through our partnership with The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum, we’re proud to share the region’s aviation story with the Greater Baltimore community.”
A themed window installation on the mall’s upper level highlights artwork inspired by aviation and aerospace, as well as historic artifacts like aircraft propellers, a bomber jacket from World War II, pilot and nylon flight uniforms, and other memorabilia from the museum.
Visitors who look upwards will see large-scale model airplanes suspended throughout the central atrium and the corridor outside Trader Joe’s. These include World War II aircrafts that The Glenn L. Martin Company designed and built in Maryland.
“Exhibits like Flights in Full Bloom allow us to share the region’s aviation history beyond our museum walls and introduce new audiences to the remarkable legacy of the Martin State Airport and The Glenn L. Martin Company,” said the museum’s Chief of Collections, Aaron Loux, in a statement. “We hope to spark curiosity about the people, innovation, and aircrafts that helped shape aviation history here in Maryland.”
The exhibition was installed ahead of the Sail250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore from June 24 through June 30. These events will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, including the region’s maritime and aviation history.
Founded in 1990, the nonprofit Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum shines a light on the legacy of aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin and the aircraft that his company manufactured in Maryland during the 20th century. The museum is expanding into a new location at the Maryland Aerospace Heritage Center, also in Middle River.
