Vornado Realty Trust flexes its muscles at Georgetown Park

After six months of renovation and only five months of business, the National Pinball Museum in the Shops at Georgetown Park will be closing this July. According to a letter from Executive Director and Curator David Silverman, mall owners Vornado Realty Trust informed him on May 18 that he has 60 days before he and his pinball machines must vacate the premises.

Silverman says he spent $300,000 renovating the space, which included a custom dinosaur mural and nine-foot flippers in the 14,000 square foot space. The museum contains hundreds of pinball machines and displays chronicling the history of the game.

Before moving his collection to Georgetown Park, Silverman’s pinball machines were kept at his home in Silver Spring. Silverman has amassed a collection of over 800 machines over the past 15 years.

For now, the museum is located on the third floor of the Shops at Georgetown Park, formerly occupied by FAO Schwarz. Silverman is determined to find a space to move his collection, and is looking as far away as New Mexico. The museum is also accepting donations. To encourage visitors, the museum has lowered its admission rate from $13.50 to $3, and has implemented new summer hours. The museum will remain open through July 4.