The Museum of Flight (Out of Many, One display)

Red Barn

The two-story Red Barn is the historic birthplace of the Boeing Airplane Company. The Red Barn was moved to its current site, on the southwest edge of Boeing Field, in 1975. The building was built in 1909 along the shores of the Duwamish River and was first used for shipbuilding activities, before being purchased by William Boeing to be used for his new airplane manufacturing company.

The Red Barn is a King County Historic Landmark and today serves as museum gallery and artifact. The interior of the building reflects its original use by Boeing as manufacturing site. The Red Barn is the largest small object in The Museum of Flights collection. Today the Red Barn serves as a gallery space, housing The Boeing Story exhibit and the museums temporary exhibits gallery.

How it represents the community’s American experience:

The Red Barn has served maritime, aviation and educational purposes over the course of its life. Some of the earliest Boeing aircraft were built in this building, laying the foundation for the success of the Boeing Company here in Washington and internationally. Aircraft produced in the Red Barn were important to the WWI war effort and helped to support the growth of commercial mail and passenger aviation post-war. During WWII, work at the Red Barn shifted to parts manufacturing, since there was not room for the construction of the large bombers inside the building. In addition to telling the industrial story of Boeing, the Red Barn also represents the stories of the Boeing employees who contributed to the successes of the company.

On display at the Museum of Flight, viewable daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.