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- Apollo and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center - Join Matt Anderson, Curator of Transportation at The Henry Ford, as he learns more about the origins of our latest limited-engagement exhibition, “Apollo: When We Went to the Moon,” with Kay Taylor, Vice President of Education at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center®. Working with industry partner Flying Fish, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center® created “Apollo” in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1969 lunar landing, pulling from their vast collections and archives. During this conversation we will not only dig deeper into the exhibit’s origins and what you can expect when visiting, but we will look to the future as we ponder where the next generation of space travel will take us.
- February 24, 2022
- Collections - Video
Apollo and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Join Matt Anderson, Curator of Transportation at The Henry Ford, as he learns more about the origins of our latest limited-engagement exhibition, “Apollo: When We Went to the Moon,” with Kay Taylor, Vice President of Education at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center®. Working with industry partner Flying Fish, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center® created “Apollo” in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1969 lunar landing, pulling from their vast collections and archives. During this conversation we will not only dig deeper into the exhibit’s origins and what you can expect when visiting, but we will look to the future as we ponder where the next generation of space travel will take us.
- U.S. Ked's Map of Outer Space, 1958 - Humans have long been interested in space -- observing the night skies and pondering the movement of the Sun, Moon, and stars. Many Americans viewed outer space through a fantastical and futuristic lens until the launch of a Soviet satellite in 1957. This space map from the early years of the Space Race depicts a more realistic view of the solar system and space exploration.
- 1958
- Collections - Artifact
U.S. Ked's Map of Outer Space, 1958
Humans have long been interested in space -- observing the night skies and pondering the movement of the Sun, Moon, and stars. Many Americans viewed outer space through a fantastical and futuristic lens until the launch of a Soviet satellite in 1957. This space map from the early years of the Space Race depicts a more realistic view of the solar system and space exploration.
- Souvenir Bank Commemorating "First U.S. Astronaut Space Flights," 1963 - This souvenir bank, shaped like a space capsule, commemorated the U.S. flights of astronauts Alan Shepard (May 5, 1961) and John Glenn (February 20, 1962). President John F. Kennedy's vision to explore the "new frontier" of space ignited the public's imagination. For children in the 1960s, the idea of space flight was wondrous. For parents, it had the added value of encouraging children to save money.
- 1961-1962
- Collections - Artifact
Souvenir Bank Commemorating "First U.S. Astronaut Space Flights," 1963
This souvenir bank, shaped like a space capsule, commemorated the U.S. flights of astronauts Alan Shepard (May 5, 1961) and John Glenn (February 20, 1962). President John F. Kennedy's vision to explore the "new frontier" of space ignited the public's imagination. For children in the 1960s, the idea of space flight was wondrous. For parents, it had the added value of encouraging children to save money.
- U.S. Army Training Center Play Set, 1945-1955 -
- 1945-1955
- Collections - Artifact
U.S. Army Training Center Play Set, 1945-1955
- U.S. Army Training Center Play Set, 1945-1955 -
- 1945-1955
- Collections - Artifact
U.S. Army Training Center Play Set, 1945-1955
- Brochure, "Exploring Space: Projects Mercury and Apollo of the United States Manned Space Program," 1961 -
- 1961
- Collections - Artifact
Brochure, "Exploring Space: Projects Mercury and Apollo of the United States Manned Space Program," 1961
- Life Magazine for May 12, 1961, "'AOK!' The U.S. is in Space" - President John F. Kennedy's vision to explore the "new frontier" of space was an overt Cold War strategy against the Soviet Union which launched the first man in space April 12, 1961. This cover story featured the first U.S astronaut in space, Alan Shepard. His Freedom 7 capsule reached 116.5 miles above the earth before splashing down on May 5, 1961.
- May 05, 1961
- Collections - Artifact
Life Magazine for May 12, 1961, "'AOK!' The U.S. is in Space"
President John F. Kennedy's vision to explore the "new frontier" of space was an overt Cold War strategy against the Soviet Union which launched the first man in space April 12, 1961. This cover story featured the first U.S astronaut in space, Alan Shepard. His Freedom 7 capsule reached 116.5 miles above the earth before splashing down on May 5, 1961.
- "U.S. Spaceport" View-Master Reels, 1970-1980 -
- 1970-1980
- Collections - Artifact
"U.S. Spaceport" View-Master Reels, 1970-1980
- "The Satellite Bank", circa 1961 - Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic-looking. This bank, made about 1961, resembles rocket ships that launched people into orbit. It also commemorates the six U.S. astronauts chosen to be the first Americans in space.
- circa 1961
- Collections - Artifact
"The Satellite Bank", circa 1961
Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic-looking. This bank, made about 1961, resembles rocket ships that launched people into orbit. It also commemorates the six U.S. astronauts chosen to be the first Americans in space.
- Time Magazine for July 25, 1969, "Man on the Moon" - This milestone in space exploration began with President John F. Kennedy's request to increase funding for the U.S. space program on May 25 1961, "Special Message to Congress on Urgent National Needs." He stated, "I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth."
- July 25, 1969
- Collections - Artifact
Time Magazine for July 25, 1969, "Man on the Moon"
This milestone in space exploration began with President John F. Kennedy's request to increase funding for the U.S. space program on May 25 1961, "Special Message to Congress on Urgent National Needs." He stated, "I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth."