McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center
Established | 1990 |
---|---|
Location | Concord, New Hampshire |
Coordinates | 43°13′28″N 71°31′59″W / 43.224583°N 71.533184°W |
Type | Science museum |
Collection size | Planetarium, replica Mercury-Redstone Launch Vehicle |
Visitors | 50,000 annually |
Director | Jeanne Gerulskis |
President | Paul A. Burkett, Esq. |
Curator | Dr. Kimberly Duncan |
Public transit access | Concord Area Transport |
Website | www |
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is a science museum located in
The 45,000-square-foot (4,200 m2) museum offers 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) of interactive science and engineering exhibits, outdoor exhibits including a full-sized replica of a Mercury-Redstone rocket, a full-dome digital planetarium, an observatory, science store, café, portable digital planetarium and a full complement of on- and off-site educational programs.
History
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center began as a stand-alone planetarium serving as the official State of New Hampshire memorial to Christa McAuliffe, opening in June 1990 as the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium. In 2001 it became the official state memorial to Admiral Alan Shepard as well, after his death in 1998.[1] It is one of two public planetaria in northern New England, along with the Lyman Spitzer Jr. Planetarium in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.
In 2009, the organization more than quadrupled in size when it added a science museum focused on
After 22 years as a State of New Hampshire agency, on January 1, 2013, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center separated from the state and became a private sector nonprofit operation. The State of New Hampshire retained ownership of the facility and grounds, but engaged in a long-term lease with the new nonprofit operator, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center Corporation.[2]
In 2019, the Discovery Center served as one of the primary settings of the independent film First Signal produced by New England–based company The Ashton Times.[3]
Exhibits
The Discovery Center's exhibits include a 1956
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center operates NASA's Educator Resource Center in New Hampshire and is a New Hampshire Space Grant institution.[6]
Programs
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center's programs include the statewide high school "Astronomy Bowl" competition, annual "Aerospacefest" aerospace festival in the spring,
References
- ^ a b Bodell, Jon (February 2, 2016). "Everything you need to know about the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center". The Concord Insider. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- ^ Corwin, Emily (August 9, 2012). "Severed From State, Is McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center Ready For Lift Off?". NPR. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- ^ Weekes, Julia Ann (July 1, 2021). "Sci-fi film 'First Signal' takes over McAuliffe-Shepard Discover Center". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- ^ "1956 Crusader welcomed to Discovery Center". Fosters Daily Democrat. December 20, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- ^ "'Star Trek' items on display at NH center". Fosters Daily Democrat. May 8, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- ^ "New Hampshire Space Grant Affiliates: Christa McAuliffe Planetarium". New Hampshire Space Grant Consortium. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ^ "AerospaceFest". Retrieved February 20, 2023.