BaMu is the nickname for The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. This unique museum chronicles the development of ballooning through historic, scientific and artistic objects reflecting global achievements.
The museum’s works and exhibits were brought together through the efforts of the Anderson and Abruzzo families, the City of Albuquerque, supporters from around the world, and the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation.
Collections include material donated by individuals directly involved in ballooning endeavors, as well as by ballooning and history enthusiasts from all over the world. The Soukup and Thomas International Balloon and Airship Museum collection is also located at BaMu.
A collection of philatelic material includes individual postage stamps, sets, souvenir sheets, cachets, balloon mail, covers, specimens, postal stationery, and post cards. This worldwide topical collection of material commemorates balloon events, milestones and personages, and documents the development of various balloon and airship systems. The museum also holds an important numismatic collection of commemorative medals and medallions, coins, and tokens.
Decorative art includes historic jewelry, decorated boxes, crockery, place settings and glassware as well as examples of original oil paintings, photographs, lithographs, and serigraphs. A large grouping of ballooning memorabilia illustrates the importance of keepsakes across time and space. Included are early pins, certificates, calling cards, and World War I era collectible porcelains, as well as more recent pins, patches, stickers, basket banners, jackets, tee shirts and caps from contemporary worldwide ballooning events.
The Balloon Museum’s collection includes more than fifty historic and contemporary gondolas, many accompanied by complete balloon systems. Of special note are gondolas related to scientific and record-setting flights.
