ABOUT
Celebrating a Legacy of Innovation
The Johnsville Centrifuge & Science Museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of innovation at the Naval Air Development Center (NADC) in Warminster, Pennsylvania, while inspiring future generations to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Our collection includes significant artifacts from the Johnsville Human Centrifuge, including the original training capsule and the Iron Maiden, used by R. Flanagan Gray to set the record for the highest sustained G-force endured by a human. We also provide educational presentations for schools, scout troops, civic organizations, and senior groups.
As we work toward establishing a permanent home for our growing collection and future educational center, we remain committed to preserving this history through community outreach, exhibits, and educational programs.
Preserving the Legacy of Innovation
The NADC Historical Society, our History & Exhibits Committee, is dedicated to preserving the history of the Johnsville Centrifuge, the Naval Air Development Center (NADC), and their contributions to aviation, aerospace, the U.S. Space Program, and the Cold War. Through exhibits, education, and community engagement, we ensure this remarkable legacy continues to inspire future generations.
The story of Johnsville began in 1939, when the Brewster Aircraft Company established an aircraft manufacturing facility on the site. Following World War II, the U.S. Navy transformed the property into a center for advanced research, leading to the creation of the Naval Air Development Station (NADS) and later the Naval Air Development Center (NADC). Over the decades, more than 30 laboratories conducted groundbreaking work in aviation, navigation, electronics, aerospace materials, and defense technologies.
One of the site’s most significant achievements was the Johnsville Human Centrifuge, constructed between 1947 and 1949 to study the effects of high G-forces on the human body. Beginning in the late 1950s, astronauts training for the U.S. Space Program came to Johnsville, making the centrifuge a lasting symbol of American innovation and space exploration.
Share Your Story
Were you part of Johnsville’s history? If you served, worked, or contracted at Johnsville, NADC, NAWC, or Brewster Aircraft, we’d love to hear from you. Contact events@nadcmuseum.org to share your memories and help preserve this incredible legacy for future generations.
Our Mission for the Future
The Johnsville Centrifuge & Science Museum is dedicated to creating a world-class educational experience where aerospace history, science, and innovation inspire curiosity and lifelong learning. Through exhibits, educational programs, and community outreach, we preserve the remarkable legacy of the Naval Air Development Center (NADC) while encouraging future generations to explore STEM careers.
Our Purpose
We are working to establish a premier science museum that serves the community through education, preservation, and discovery. Our commitment includes protecting the history of Brewster Aircraft, NAMU, NADC, NAWC, and the Johnsville Human Centrifuge while providing engaging experiences for students, families, educators, veterans, and lifelong learners.
Our Objectives
- Inspire young people through hands-on learning in aerospace, aviation, history, engineering, and science.
- Honor the pioneers of aviation, aerospace research, and the early U.S. Space Program.
- Preserve artifacts, photographs, documents, and personal stories from Johnsville and its historic organizations.
- Create meaningful educational experiences for visitors of all ages.
- Promote innovation, sustainability, and the continued pursuit of scientific discovery.
- Build a permanent home where these stories and achievements can educate and inspire future generations.
Looking Ahead
As we work toward establishing a permanent museum and educational facility, we remain committed to preserving Johnsville’s extraordinary legacy through exhibits, educational programs, and community outreach.
