posted 01-20-2012 02:52 PM               

Last Chance to see NASA Space Capsule "Freedom 7" at the Naval Academy

NASA spacecraft, "Freedom 7," will be leaving the Naval Academy at the end of February, bound for the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library in Columbia Point, Boston, Mass.

The space capsule first arrived at the Naval Academy on Dec. 15, 1998. Since then, it has been on display to the public in the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is open 9-4 p.m., January through February; and 9-5 p.m., March through December.

Mercury-Redstone 3 was the first manned space mission of the United States. Astronaut Rear Adm. Alan Shepard, a Naval Academy graduate of the Class of 1945, piloted a 15-minute Project Mercury suborbital flight of the Freedom 7 spacecraft on May 5, 1961, to become the first American in space.

The Naval Academy has produced 52 astronauts — more than any other college or university in the nation.

posted 01-26-2012 09:49 AM               

Freedom 7 Mercury capsule leaving Naval Academy for JFK Library, Smithsonian

The capsule that launched the first American into space more than 50 years ago will soon be moved from Maryland to Massachusetts, before ultimately landing in Washington, DC in 2016.

posted 01-26-2012 02:35 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by mode1charlie:
This is the first I've heard...

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posted 09-02-2012 03:22 PM               

America's first manned spacecraft lands at JFK Library in Boston

Freedom 7, NASA's first spacecraft to launch an astronaut into space, has landed in Boston for display at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

The space capsule, which on May 5, 1961 lifted off with astronaut Alan Shepard for a 15 minute sub-orbital mission, arrived at the JFK Library on Aug. 29. On loan from the Smithsonian, Freedom 7 had previously been on exhibit for 14 years at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

"Freedom 7 has arrived!" the library announced on its Facebook page. "Thanks to a generous loan from the [National] Air and Space Museum, Freedom 7 will be here until December 2015."

posted 09-10-2012 03:51 PM               

Cosmosphere's Space Works Completes Project for John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston

Space Works, the division of the Cosmosphere specializing in artifact restoration, preservation and exhibit design - has just completed fabrication and installation of a display cradle for the Mercury-Redstone "Freedom 7" capsule, which goes on display Sept. 12 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston. Freedom 7 launched the first American into space on May 5, 1961, with astronaut Alan Shepard as commander.

"The project was referred to us by the Smithsonian, which underscores the tremendous working relationship we have with its curators," said Jim Remar, President and COO of the Cosmosphere.

"Freedom 7 had previously been displayed in an acrylic case that wasn't conducive to its long-term preservation," Remar said. "The Smithsonian has confidence that anything produced by Space Works will meet absolute museum specifications and ensure the long-term preservation of iconic artifacts."

Space Works designed a new cradle that not only showcases the capsule in optimum fashion but allows it to be transported, when necessary, between exhibits.

Space Works' Manager Dale Capps oversaw the installation of the new cradle in late August when the spacecraft was moved from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis to its new home at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston. Measuring 6-feet- by 4-feet, the cradle alone weighs 750 pounds to support the capsule's 3000-pound weight.

Although its flight lasted only 15 minutes, Freedom 7 proved that America could successfully launch a man into space and return safely to Earth. The mission encouraged President Kennedy to launch the Apollo Moon Program a few weeks later.

"It is largely due to Freedom 7 that President Kennedy issued his famous challenge that the United States be the first nation to put a man on the Moon," Remar said. "It seems fitting that the Freedom 7 be on display at his presidential library," Remar said.

After its three-year exhibit in Boston, Freedom 7 will go to the Smithsonian for display in its collection.

The Smithsonian-affiliated Cosmosphere houses the largest collection of U.S. and Russian space artifacts anywhere outside the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, and Moscow. The Cosmosphere's Space Works division has developed an international reputation for historic artifact preservation, replication and exhibit design. Space Works has completed numerous projects for NASA, the Smithsonian, and a variety of Hollywood films, including Ron Howard's Apollo 13 and his HBO Miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon.

posted 09-12-2012 05:14 PM               

On September 12, 1962, JFK pledged to put a man on the moon. Fifty years later, we put a space capsule in our museum!

On the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's memorable speech at Rice University, the JFK Presidential Library and Museum unveiled a special new installation featuring Freedom 7, the iconic space capsule that Commander Alan B Shepard, Jr. piloted on the first American manned flight into space. Come visit and see it for yourself!

posted 01-05-2013 06:11 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Larry McGlynn:
There is a spacesuit display happening in Lowell, MA. and Freedom 7 in Boston. Things are happening in Mass again.

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posted 01-08-2013 05:42 PM               

Regarding Freedom 7, I've contacted the JFK Library to ask about their photo policies, and received this response:

You can take photographs however you cannot use any flash or tripod.

posted 01-08-2013 05:58 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by PeterO:
No flash and no tripod is a bad combination.

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posted 03-18-2013 10:43 AM               

I usually contact a curator with the request. You have a book under contract from a well known author. You would like access for the purpose of photographing an important historical artifact. Suggest arriving a 1/2 hour before regular opening so you can get your photographs without interfering with other guests. This also ensures you are supervised at all times. Be sure to put the spin on it "for other guests" not for selfish reasons like "I don't want them in my way." Sometimes I get a response that they can't afford the overtime for a docent to escort the photographer. Offer to take someone to a nice breakfast or lunch if they will volunteer the extra time.

If you ask nicely with a well thought out plan and wording, they are usually happy to share their artifact. Also be sure to offer them any credit they like.

posted 04-15-2013 04:34 PM               

According to a statement, "[the fire] appears to have started in the mechanical room of [the] new wing of the building. All staff and visitors are accounted for and safe."

Boston Police commissioner Edward Davis said that they were not yet certain if the fire at the JFK Library and the bombs set off at the Boston Marathon were related, but they "are treating them as if they are."

The library staff wrote on Twitter that any tie to marathon explosions is at this time "pure speculation."

posted 04-18-2013 03:08 AM               

I can also say that there was no explosion. I was in the "At the Brink" exhibit on the Cuban missile crisis when the fire alarm sounded. I walked out to the large, glassed-in pavilion, where staff came by and everyone there was told - calmly, but firmly - to leave the building now.

I think it's accepted now that it was a mechanical fire and not related to the Boston Marathon bombing. What a surreal day. I was trying to report to the newspaper I work for about the fire when they told me about the bombing in Copley Square. Our newspaper covers the Boston Marathon pretty extensively, but fortunately all of our reporters were uninjured.

I'm also glad to hear that Freedom 7 is safe, but I'm not too surprised. The spacecraft is pretty far away from the fire and on a lower floor.

posted 04-24-2013 08:29 AM               

Boston Fire Department officials have concluded their investigation of the April 15, 2013 fire at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and have determined that it was "unintentional." According to the Boston Fire Department, the most likely cause was "careless disposal of smoking material."

The JFK Library will remain closed until further notice while Library officials conduct a full test of the Library’s fire and security systems.

We are grateful to the Boston Fire and Police Departments for their quick and effective response to the fire on Monday, and their thorough investigation following the event.

posted 12-17-2014 03:10 PM               

The project, which was announced in May 2014, will include overhauling and adding to the existing museum technology infrastructure, creating an interactive, dynamic experience for visitors to learn about John F. Kennedy, his era, and his administration.

The Library's special exhibit To the Brink: JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis, Research Room, JFK Café, and Museum Store will remain open to the public during this time. No admission fee will be charged to visit the Library or view the special exhibit. Public and private events, including Kennedy Library Forums and children's Celebrate! programs, will still be hosted as scheduled.

For more information on the museum enhancement project, read the announcement here.