Balloon Museum Milestones

June 1983

Maxie Anderson and Don Ida die in a balloon accident during that year’s Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett

June 1984

The Maxie L. Anderson Foundation (a nonprofit) is incorporated in New Mexico

February 11, 1985

Ben Abruzzo dies in a plane crash in Albuquerque

May 8, 1985

The Anderson Foundation holds its first annual meeting of the Board of Directors. They voted to add Ben Abruzzo to the name of the museum.

September 9, 1987

Albuquerque City Council approves a quarter-cent sales tax increase. Mayor Ken Schultz signed it on September 18. It was in effect for ten years.

January 1, 1988

A quarter-cent sales tax increase goes into effect in Albuquerque. The money will go towards a balloon museum, a children’s science museum, an aquarium/botanical gardens, and an open space in the Sandia Foothills and on the West Mesa by the petroglyphs.

January 17, 1990

A City ordinance establishes the Museum’s Board of Trustees. The Albuquerque City Council passes an ordinance that creates the Balloon Museum and establishes governing rules for its Board of Trustees.

December 1996

The quality-of-life quarter-cent tax revenue is discontinued

1998

Plans are underway to build a new Atomic Museum next door to the site of the proposed Balloon Museum, south of Balloon Fiesta Park.

February 1999

The Soukup & Thomas International Balloon & Airship Museum legally transfers its collection to the Balloon Museum. The objects will be physically transferred a few years later.

2000

The final architectural design for the Balloon Museum is in place. They anticipated breaking ground in September 2001 and that construction would be complete in a year.

October 11, 2002

Ground is broken on the site of the Balloon Museum. The Museum is expected to open in October 2004.

October 1, 2005

The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum officially opens for the first time.

2021

The Balloon Museum unveils its new branding package, designed by local firm Ripe, Inc. The new logo and branding emphasize the Museum’s dedication to exploration through ballooning.

2024

Volunteers and field trips return after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2025

The Museum celebrates its 20th birthday!