The black inventors hall of fame (BIHOF) will design and fabricate a new exhibition centered on the charles F. Page airship

The Black Inventors Hall Of Fame (BIHOF), a New Jersey nonprofit corporation, received a $2.47 million Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program (CFDA 45.309) awarded on October 1, 2025. The grant supports the design and fabrication of a new museum exhibition centered on the Charles F. Page Airship, which serves as the centerpiece of the display. The exhibition will feature a full-scale replica of the airship designed and built by Charles Frederick Page in 1904, an enslaved African American who became an expert carpenter and pioneered early aeronautical innovation despite severe personal hardships and limited formal education.

The exhibition incorporates augmented reality (AR) technology to deliver immersive visitor experiences, including interactive airship piloting simulations that feature 360-degree panoramic views, synchronized audio and visual effects, and narrated guidance portraying Charles Page's perspective. The project, which will be executed through September 30, 2027, is designed to inspire young people to pursue careers in aeronautics and related STEM fields by presenting a historically significant African American inventor narrative. This award aligns with IMLS's program objectives to build capacity at African American cultural institutions and increase public access to important historical narratives and collections.

The exhibition tells the story of charles frederick page, an enslaved african american who overcame tremendous hardships. Despite being self-educated, MR. Page became an expert carpenter and harbored a dream of achieving human-crewed flight. A replica of the airship he designed and built in 1904 will be the centerpiece of the new exhibition. The exhibit will use augmented reality technology to provide visitors with immersive experiences of piloting an airship that incorporates audio, visual effects, and narrated guidance from voice-over artists portraying charles page. As the airship soars, guests can experience a 360-degree panoramic view, embracing a perspective once denied to page and his peers. By sharing the aviator story, BIHOF sincerely hopes to inspire a similar passion in young people to explore the exciting world of aeronautics.