National Soaring Museum, Elmira

About National Soaring Museum

National Soaring Museum preserves the history of motorless flight through an extensive collection of vintage and historical gliders and sailplanes dating from the late 1800s to the present day. Visitors explore rare aircraft, soaring memorabilia, photographs, trophies, and archival materials that trace gliding's development from its earliest days in Elmira through mid-century competitions and post-war soaring culture. The museum features exhibits on the evolution of aeronautics and the science of flight. The United States Soaring Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who achieved the highest accomplishments in American soaring. For those seeking hands-on experience, the adjacent Harris Hill Soaring Corporation offers glider rides in a Schleicher ASK-21 High-Performance Sailplane, allowing visitors to experience motorless flight firsthand. The museum sits atop Harris Hill near Elmira, New York, a location recognized as the Soaring Capital of America for its more than eighty years of gliding heritage. The facility operates seven days a week with seasonal hours.