House of Aviation and Astronautics

House of Aviation and Astronautics 

(full name, M. V. Frunze Central House of Aviation and Astronautics), a cultural and educational institution of the central committee of the All-Union Voluntary Society for Cooperation with the Army, Air Force, and Navy of the USSR (DOSAAF SSSR). Founded in October 1924, the house was opened in Moscow on Jan. 18, 1927. It was established to promote knowledge among the population, members of DOSAAF, and members of the Soviet armed forces about contemporary materiel and the history of the development of Soviet aviation, aeronautics, and astronautics; combat actions of the Soviet Air Force; the development of civil aviation and its role in the national economy; and the outstanding achievements of the military knowledge, training, and athletic activities of the organizations of DOSAAF in aviation and astronautics. The house organizes and conducts stationary and traveling exhibits, excursions, lectures, reports, meetings with prominent figures in aviation and astronautics, and commemorative evenings. It has a hall for thematic film lectures, a library with a reading room, and a photographic library of aviation history.