The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) received a $500,000 grant from Boeing Charitable Trust toward its fundraising campaign for a new museum on Lake Union, MOHAI Executive Director Leonard Garfield said today.

The museum is moving from its current Montlake building because it will be displaced by an expansion of Washington State Highway 520. It has chosen the historic Naval Reserve Building (Armory) in Lake Union Park as its new location.

MOHAI has raised $17.6 million so far toward is $40 million goal.

Boeing kicked off the community campaign for the original Montlake facility with a five-year $200,000 challenge grant in the 1940s, and the company contributed the aviation wing and restored and hung the B-1 Flying Boat, one of MOHAI's signature artifacts.

"We are deeply grateful for Boeing's financial support for the new museum and for their longstanding leadership in increasing cultural opportunities for the residents of our region," Garfield said.

MOHAI plans to open the new museum in late 2012. Garfield said one of the biggest advantages of the new location is that it makes the museum more visible and more engaged with the community.