Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is a museum dedicated to the worldwide history, science, and art of all types of ballooning and lighter-than-air flight. It is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico , USA , and is situated just outside the grounds used for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta , the world's largest yearly balloon fiesta, and is named for Ben Abruzzo and Maxie Anderson , two Albuquerque natives who established several ballooning firsts, such as crossing oceans and continents. Opened on October 1, 2005, it is owned by the city of Albuquerque and is a collaborative project of the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt not-for-profit corporation, and the City of Albuquerque's Cultural Services Division. It is a 59,000-square-foot (5,500 m ) facility with class rooms, conference rooms, and many exhibits on the history of ballooning, including items from famous balloonists such as Ed Yost , Joseph Kittinger , and Ben Abruzzo.