The Roswell Museum is launching its Museum After Hours event, a new casual evening series designed to keep the community connected with the museum during its recovery from the flood of October 2024. The first program takes place on Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Interstellar Beer & Wine Lounge at Stellar Coffee, 315 N. Main St.
According to the press release, it stated that “the inaugural event will feature Kevin Schindler, historian and public information officer at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz., for a presentation on Robert H. Goddard’s early life and pioneering work in Massachusetts. Using historical images, personal writings, and accounts of Goddard’s work, Schindler will explore the experiments that culminated in Goddard’s groundbreaking 1926 liquid-fuel rocket launch and helped usher in the era of modern spaceflight.”
Goddard came to Roswell thanks to a famous pioneering pilot. In the 1930s, the famed record-breaking aviator Charles Lindbergh and financier Harry Guggenheim were looking to find a location for the scientist Robert H. Goddard’s rocket experiments, which led them to Roswell. Goddard remained for 12 years working on the secret experiment and record-breaking rocket launches. Without those experiments, the United States would not have later won the race to the moon and begun the human race’s early space exploration. Thanks to Goddard’s widow, Esther Christine Goddard, who was his assistant and devoted her time to record her husband’s research and experiments, many of his tools and rockets were saved, not to mention films, photos and notes of the experiments.
The presentation at the lounge will also highlight Esther Goddard’s important role in preserving her husband’s legacy and ensuring that his work continued to inspire future generations.
Schindler has worked at Lowell Observatory for 31 years and has authored nine books. His newest book, “Robert Goddard’s Massachusetts,” co-written with Charles Slatkin, explores the places and experiences that shaped Goddard’s early life and work. Schindler will sign copies of the book following the presentation.
“Museum After Hours gives us a way to continue sharing stories, research and behind-the-scenes perspectives while the museum is closed for recovery,” said Roswell Museum Director Caroline Brooks in the press release. “We want these evenings to be informal, engaging, and an opportunity for people to stay connected with the museum and with one another.”
Future Museum After Hours programs will feature a rotating mix of collections research, conservation updates, special projects, guest speakers and conversations about the museum’s future. Each program is free and will include a short presentation followed by time for conversation and socializing.
For more information, visit roswellmuseum.org.
