In 1978, Albuquerque balloonists Ben Abruzzo and Maxie Anderson, along with partner Larry Newman, made history when they completed the first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by gas balloon.

Now, a museum named in their honor is making history here in Albuquerque. The $12 million Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum building dominates the skyline just southeast of Balloon Fiesta Park.

The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is the world's premiere facility dedicated to the art, culture, science, history, sport and spectacle of ballooning. It features one of the finest collections of ballooning equipment and memorabilia in the world. It officially opened its doors to the public on October 1st, 2005.

The dream of building a museum to celebrate the art and science of ballooning began in the mid 1980s. The Maxie Anderson family felt that creating a museum would be a fitting way to honor the senior Anderson, who died in a balloon accident in Europe in 1983. After Ben Abruzzo's 1985 death in an airplane accident, it was decided the museum should honor Abruzzo as well.

The Anderson and Abruzzo families spearheaded efforts to advance the museum project throughout the 1990's. The City of Albuquerque embraced the project and financed the construction of the facility through the Quality of Life Tax and bond funds.

The Balloon Museum Foundation is making a concerted effort to raise adequate funding for the second phase of exhibits. The total cost of exhibit installation is estimated to be in excess of $6 million. More than $2.25 million in private donations and pledges have already been raised through private foundation and corporate sources.