Jeff Bezos donates $ 200 million to the Smithsonian, the largest donation to the museum since its founding

(CNN) – The Smithsonian announced Thursday that Jeff Bezos will donate $ 200 million to the museum, the largest gift since the museum’s founding in 1846.

The Smithsonian says $ 70 million will go toward renovating the National Air and Space Museum and $ 130 million for opening a new educational center at the museum. In a statement, the museum says the gift from the founder of Amazon and the space flight company Blue Origin will also “help enable a technological transformation of the museum’s galleries and public spaces.”

“Jeff’s early curiosity about space exploration helped inspire him to think big and act boldly, and as a result, he has been instrumental in expanding the Internet,” said Steve Case, Chairman and Founder of the Board of Regents. from the Smithsonian of America Online.

“We are delighted that Jeff is committed to helping us expand the reach and impact of the Smithsonian, as we seek to inspire the next generation of scientists, astronauts, engineers, educators and entrepreneurs.”

On Tuesday, Jeff Bezos plans to be part of a 4-person crew in a pilotless spacecraft, from his company Blue Origin, that will take an 11-minute journey to the edge of space.