Sunday, May 26, 2019

Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum


Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum is located on the old Lowry Air Force Base in the Denver, Colorado area. The museum preserves Lowry AFB's operations history from 1938 to 1994 in its collections, archives, and research library. 


Information from the Wings Over the Rockies website:
"Transferred from the United States Air Force to a group of volunteers in 1994, Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum is located in Hangar #1 of the former Lowry Air Force Base in eastern Denver, Colorado. Today, the museum boasts more than 182,000 square feet of hangar space full of iconic aircraft, space vehicles, artifacts, military uniforms, and much more. Visitors can also experience thrilling flight simulators, discover Wings Aerospace Academy, our enrichment program for 6th-11th-grade students, and participate in dozens of exciting museum-sponsored events."



The museum hangar containing the airplanes and educational exhibits is enormous!


My husband and I enjoyed exploring all the airplanes on exhibit and learning their historyThere are both permanent and temporary exhibits and over 50 aircraft and space vehicles. Features of the museum's collection include the USAF's B-1A Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress bombers and many other militaries and general aviation aircraft.



There were different flight simulators at the museum to try and my husband had fun trying to land the Wrights brother plane --not an easy task in 1903 when their flight only took 12 seconds!!


In just the first 50 years of the Space Age, more than 64 astronauts have developed close ties to the State of Colorado. Through birth, university, or employment these space professionals have put Colorado on the leading edge of space exploration and study. 


The “Colorado’s Astronauts” exhibit offers Museum guests a look at some of the fine men and women with connections to the Centennial State and how they have helped transform our understanding of space.



One of the most famous Colorado Astronauts was John L "Jack" Swigert, an American test pilot, mechanical and aerospace engineer, United States Air Force pilot, and NASA astronaut. He was one of twenty-four astronauts who have flown to the Moon--his mission was on Apollo 13.   A piece of lunar rock that was collected by Apollo 15 was donated to Wings Over the Rockies in Swigert's memory by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration





There was an interesting exhibit about life on a space station.


The exhibit focuses on the groundbreaking science that the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) does on the ISS such as treatments for disease, new building materials, and consumer products


A unique collection of uniforms, gear, and more were on display in the World of Aviation attire in the Uniform Room. This permanent exhibition features dozens of items not found anywhere else in the world including specially designed artic flight suits, original Lowry Air Force Base photography equipment, and a letter to the father of a deceased soldier written by then-Secretary of War, Henry Stimson. 




One of the museum stars is the Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter, a 3/4-scale replica of the aircraft flown by Luke Skywalker in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. It is signed by numerous cast and crew including Harrison Ford, George Lucas, and David Prowse. Thanks to generous Rocky Mountain Fan Force volunteers and an agreement with Lucasfilm, this unique Star Wars heirloom has become a permanent part of the exhibits.


Each year, Wings Over the Rockies welcomes roughly 160,000 visitors representing all 50 U.S. states and 28-countries around the world.  We certainly enjoyed our visit and know we will be back to see more of it with our grandchildren one day. 

Wings Over the Rockies
Air & Space Museum

7711 East Academy Boulevard
Denver, CO 80230-6929

Hours:

Monday - Saturday: 10am – 5pm Sunday: 12pm – 5pm


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32 comments:

Ruth Hiebert said...

When I saw the title of this post, I knew I would enjoy it. I enjoy it for myself, but as I scrolled through and read the descriptions, I was think of how much my husband would have enjoyed that place., he was an aircraft enthusiast.Thanks for sharing this and triggering many memories.

riitta k said...

That is an interesting museum! I remember when Neil Amstrong landed on the Moon in 1969!

ellen b. said...

Looks like a great museum. Your grandchildren have a treasure trove of experiences to glean from you!

Angie said...

Pat - this reminds me of the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. So many unique aircraft and professional, detailed displays - you could spend days there and not see it all. Something for everyone. Thanks for sharing this special place with all of us at Mosaic Monday - an appropriate topic for Memorial Day!

Anne Fraser said...

This looks a very exciting museum. My children and grandchildren would love it if we lived nearer.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

What a great museum! Wonderful exhibits. Thanks for sharing your visit. wonderful photos and mosaics. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I love old planes and history - great spot to visit. Thanks for taking us along!

Linda W. said...

What an interesting place! Thanks for sharing your photos.

Janice said...

What an interesting place. Looks like a great place to take grandkids.

Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost said...

I live in the area and have never been. Perhaps I should remedy that sometime.

Lydia C. Lee said...

That looks interesing.

William Kendall said...

I'm reminded of our national Aviation museum here. What a grand place this one is.

Powell River Books said...

Looks like a great museum, especially for pilots to visit. - Margy

likeschocolate said...

What a cool museum and will keep this in mind the next time I head that way.
http://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.com/

Jeanie said...

This looks like a wonderful spot. I bet kids adore it!

Jennifer Wise said...

This looks really fun! I love how you keep visiting all these neat places I have yet to go. :) This would be a fun place to take people who come visit me, too. Thanks for sharing!
#littlecottagelinkparty

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

WOW!! what an interesting place!!
My oldest son would love this!! Thanks so much for sharing and thanks for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Debbie

Gillena Cox said...

Very interesting mosaics
Have a good week

Much💖love

Joanne said...

THat sounds like such a fun museum! My boys would love it and the Star Wars ship would be the biggest hit of them all.

Lady Fi said...

What a fascinating museum.

Catscue Cat Mom said...

What a wonderful place, the pictures are beautiful - thanks!

Sharon Wagner said...

I read in the paper that they turned a retro terminal at JFK into a hotel. That seems like a fun place to stay. Thanks for the tour!

Lowcarb team member said...

Looks and sounds a very interesting museum, lovely to see all of your photographs.

All the best Jan

betty-NZ said...

I'm so glad you shared this place with us this week. What a wonderful place to explore and learn some history. I'm sure most husbands would love that simulation that yours tried :)

Your link is a great part of 'My Corner of the World' this week! Thanks for joining us.

My Corner of the World

Jim said...

Interesting.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You always take the best photos and share so much information that helps us understand what we're seeing. I know you enjoying living in that beautiful part of the country! Enjoy your day!

Michelle said...

I was enjoying all of the planes and then that x-wing fighter appeared. Love it! What a fun piece for the museum. Thanks for linking up.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Looks like a super-interesting and educational museum to visit. I would like to give the simulation a shot!

Stevenson Q said...

Wow! Thank you for sharing this with us! I would looove to spend a whole day on that museum especially on that simulator. With all those planes on exhibit, I guess I need more than just a day to see all of them :)

April J Harris said...

I'm fascinated by space exploration, and all the things that led to it, from the Wright Brothers on up! Thank you so much for sharing the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum with the Hearth and Soul Link Party, Pat. I so enjoyed the photographs and stories behind them. Have a great weekend!

Al said...

I've been there, and I remember enjoying it.

Dee | GrammysGrid.com said...

Looks like a fun and interesting place to visit!