Travelers walk past a striking 1930s image of Amelia Earhart posing with group and an aircraft, blending past and present in the airport terminal. Travelers photo, courtesy Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Earhart photo from the Fred Schutz Historic Collection, courtesy Panoramic Images, Inc.
Travelers passing through Washington’s airports now have something new to look forward to—and it has nothing to do with flight schedules. Three striking art installations, created in partnership with the DC History Center, have arrived at Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD), bringing vivid slices of the region’s past into today’s travel experience.
Amelia Earhart Takes Center Stage at Reagan The first of the new exhibits, installed in September in Reagan’s National Hall, features a panoramic photo box showcasing a 1930 image of Amelia Earhart shortly after she landed in Washington, DC. The dramatic, larger-than-life scene has quickly become a favorite among passengers, drawing crowds of photo-takers and earning enthusiastic reactions across social media.
A close up of Amelia Earhart, a detail from the panoramic image from the Fred Schutz Historic Collection, courtesy Panoramic Images, Inc.
Two New Panoramas Debut at Dulles In October, two additional panoramic photos were unveiled at the end of the A/B walk-back tunnel at Dulles. Like the Earhart installation, these panoramas invite travelers to step into historic DC moments:
These immersive life-sized photos serve as unexpected portals to the District’s history—transforming everyday airport corridors into mini-galleries.
The Bachelor-Benedict Club Debutantes Ball panoramic image was previously on view at the DC History Center’s 2019-2025 exhibit, THE BIG PICTURE. Photo by Anne McDonough.
A Rotating Window Into DC’s Past The DC History Center’s Downtown DC location (open Thursday through Sunday) displays even more panoramic images in our new exhibit, Class Action: Education and Opportunity in the Nation’s Capital.
Through this partnership with the DC History Center and Panoramic Images, Inc., Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has access to a vast archive of hundreds of historic photos. Travelers can expect the exhibits to evolve over time while remaining on long-term display.
Whether you’re a history buff, an aviation fan, or simply a traveler with a few minutes to spare, these new installations offer a unique and memorable way to connect with DC’s past. Tag us (@dchistory) and MWAA (@reagan_airport & @dulles_airport) if you snap a photo!
The panoramic photographs are from the Fred Schutz Historic Collection, courtesy Panoramic Images, Inc., in partnership with the DC History Center.