Golden Anniversary Lecture: "A Look Back at the Early U.S. Space Program"

The Historical Society of Rockland County Invites You to Join Us for

“A Look Back at the Early U.S. Space Program”

A Golden Anniversary Lecture at the Town of Ramapo Challenger Space Center

When: Thursday, July 23, 2015, 7 pm SHARP
Where: Challenger Space Center, 225 Route 59, Airmont, NY 10901
Price: Admission is $FREE, but space is limited and reservations are required (click here)

In July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface of the moon as millions of people around the world watched on TV. Join us as we hark back to the beginning of the U.S. Space Program with a visit to the Town of Ramapo’s Challenger Space Center. John Huibregtse, director, will talk about the early days of the Space Program, as well as about the efforts of our local community to bring a Challenger Center to Rockland County.

The Challenger Space Center in Airmont is living testimony to the dream of the Challenger astronauts. When the crew of the Challenger Space Shuttle perished on January 28, 1986, they were on a pioneering mission to extend the boundaries of human knowledge, to teach and to inspire.

To register for this $FREE program, click on the Brown Paper Tickets logo:

The program start promptly at 7 pm. As a courtesy to the event hosts, please arrive early to avoid interruptions. Latecomers who have reservations may forfeit their seats. Walk-ins will be admitted only if space permits.

About the Challenger Learning Center:

On January 28, 1986, the seven crew members of the Space Shuttle Challenger/STS-51-L “Teacher in Space” mission set out to broaden educational horizons and advance scientific knowledge. Their mission exemplified humans’ noblest and most wondrous qualities—to explore, discover and teach. To the nation’s shock and sorrow, the shuttle exploded seventy-three seconds after liftoff. In the aftermath of the accident, the crew’s families came together, firmly committed to the belief that they must carry on the spirit of their loved ones by continuing the Challenger crew’s educational mission.

In April 1986, they created the Challenger Center for Space Science Education (Challenger Center). They envisioned a place where children, teachers and citizens can touch the future by manipulating equipment, conducting experiments, solving problems, and immersing themselves in space-like surroundings. The goal: to spark young people’s interest in science and engineering and change their lives.

In June 1994, a Suffern High School project led by student Kristina Rodriquez proposed turning a vacant school building into a Challenger Learning Center. The concept lit a fire in the community and resulted in approval to create what was then one of thirty Challenger Learning Centers in North America and only the second center in New York State. Today, more than forty centers have been created in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.

About the Historical Society of Rockland County:

The Historical Society of Rockland County is a nonprofit educational institution and principal repository for original documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its headquarters are a four-acre site featuring a history museum and the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House located at 20 Zukor Road, New City, New York 10956.

The HSRC isopen to the public five days a week (Wednesday-Friday, 10 am–5 pm and Sunday, 12–4 pm during exhibitions, events, and programs. Library research and tours of the Jacob Blauvelt House are available by appointment by contacting (845) 634-9629. For additional information about HSRC, visit our website at www.RocklandHistory.org.