Visiting The Denver Air And Space Museum

The intergalactic technology exhibits at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum include models and displays demonstrating spacecraft and missile technology both historically and in the future. Visitors get to explore the science of spaceflight with the interactive exhibit and experience the adventure.

The Space Station Module started life as Martin-Marietta’s mock-up for a proposed cosmos station entry to be called “Freedom.” The original proposal was for an American-only cosmos station.

The concept was later changed to include Russia and the European Space Agency and became known as the International Space Station. Martin’s entry into the proposal race was rejected and ultimately found its way to this Denver museum.

The institution also has an Apollo Command Module boilerplate. This is a full scale replica which was used by NASA to develop and test capsule retrieval procedures and train astronauts for the Apollo missions to the moon.

Anchoring the south-east corner of Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum’s main floor is an actual inter-stage skirt from a Titan IV rocket. Lockheed Martin built Titan IV’s to launch large National Defense payloads into earth orbit.

A Titan IV was also used to launch the National Aeronautical and Space Administration’s (NASA) Cassini probe to the planet Saturn. There are an assortment of scale models ranging in size from a table-top diorama of a moon base to a sixteen foot model of a Titan II launch vehicle as well as several hands-on exhibits demonstrating some of the conditions encountered in cosmos.

The Avionics and Radios Exhibit has a wonderful collection of beautifully restored examples of period radio, telephone and avionics technology. Colorado Air National Guard exhibit is an interactive history experience that celebrates the unique past of the Air National Guard as well as demonstrates how new discoveries in air and cosmos will shape the future.

The Colorado Aviation Heritage display celebrates the history of Colorado aviation and the contributions of pioneers in Colorado aviation history. The Eisenhower Dining Room is a replica of the room President Dwight D. Eisenhower established as his “Summer White House” in the Denver area.

The Eisenhower Room exhibits examples of the furnishings, artwork and lifestyle from his quarters on base. The Howard Model Collection is a unique collection of model airplanes designed and built by master aircraft designer Frederick Howard.

The collection includes many of Mr. Howard’s tools, plans, and photos. The Lowry Room is one of the larger meeting rooms and contains an extensive collection of photos and memorabilia from throughout the history of Lowry Air Force Base.

The Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum Restoration Department is tasked with preserving many of the collection’s artifacts. Activities range from simple routine cleaning of pieces to undertaking major restoration projects.

Although none of the museum’s artifacts are ever again expected to function as originally intended, it is the goal of the institution to reconfigure the precious treasures to as close to original condition as possible for accurate representation.

Always on the lookout for new talent, the only prerequisite for a volunteer restoration member is that he or she be willing to contribute some time to the overall effort. Whereas previous experience or specialized training are qualities in constant demand, there are no special skills required.

Anyone with an interest in helping to conserve or restore these artifacts is welcome. Scheduled sessions of instruction in the form of initial and recurring training seminars are available to all volunteer restoration members.

Housed in the institution’s historic 150,000 sq. ft. 1930’s-era former Air Force hangar, Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum maintains a collection of over four dozen aircraft and intergalactic vehicles. Highlights of the collection include: a rare B-18A Bolo, five of the Century Series fighters, and an RF-84K Thunderflash parasite.

The collection also includes the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and an Alexander Eaglerock built in Colorado. In addition, WINGS is the only place in the world outside of the SAC Museum in Nebraska, where the public can see a B-1A Lancer.

Terry Daniels has worked as a travel agent for the last 35 years and written several of articles about things to do in Denver.

Contact Info:
Terry Daniels
[email protected]
http://www.thingstodo.com/states/CO/denver.htm

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Exploring The Denver Art Museum

Whether it is true or not, it is said that you can never truly experience a place until you have experienced its culture through the cherished art. One of the places that you must visit while in Denver, Colorado is the Denver Art Museum.

Not only does this museum feature local art, but art from all over the world. The greatest attraction that is in the museum right now is King Tutankhamen.

This exhibit contains up to 130 of the objects found buried with King Tut in his tomb. Other objects that were placed with other Egyptian pharaohs can also be seen on display here.

The King Tut exhibit will not stop anywhere else along the Rocky Mountains. Unless you are willing to travel half way across the world, this may be your only opportunity to see it.

This exhibit will be present through January 9 of 2011. The King Tut exhibit was created by the National Geographic, Arts, and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions.

Of course, they had to obtain the permission to feature these objects from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. The name of the exhibit is officially Tutankhamen: The Golden King and The Great Pharaohs.

Fifty of the objects on display come directly from King Tut’s tomb. One of the objects on display is the golden sandals that were on the mummy’s feet and a beautifully decorated canopic jar that held the King’s internal organs.

The display also features a ten foot tall statue of King Tut which was discovered at the funerary temple of his two highest officials. It is incredible that the statue is still mostly covered by its original layer of paint.

This statue is the largest image of the King that has been discovered so far. In addition to the objects that are directly related to King Tut, there are over 80 other objects which belong to other important rulers of Egypt.

The other leaders that are represented include Khefren, the pharaoh whose giant pyramid is the only surviving wonder out of seven of the ancient times. Another important ruler that is represented is Hatshepsut, the queen who became the king.

Most of the objects included in this exhibit were not part of the 1970’s King Tut exhibit tour in the United States. In fact, this is the first time most of the objects have even visited the Americas.

The display is so large that the Denver Art Museum has reserved two whole gallery spaces in order to display all of the objects. The King Tut exhibit will be located in the Anschutz Gallery and the Gallagher Family Gallery.

These galleries will be a lot of fun to visit with children because the exhibit begins with a short National Geographic video on the stories of ancient Egypt’s most famous pharaohs. The video is narrated by Harrison Ford acting as Indiana Jones.

One of the galleries will feature an area devoted to the British explorer Howard Carter, who was responsible for the discovery of the tomb of King Tutanhamen. The tomb was found in 1922 and it has added many interesting facts to the history of Egypt that was previously known.

In addition to these intriguing videos and displays, there will be an area where children will be allowed t dress up as an Egyptian. There will also be an area where children can make an Egyptian collar or explore more of the history of Egypt through various books.

Likewise, the display will have specific days where there will be additional activities for children. Some days will be designed fro toddlers while others will target older children.

In addition, there will be an after hours event for young adults that will include lectures and workshops on ancient Egypt. There will be much to learn about and explore here.

The museum is also featuring many other wonderful art exhibits from several different artists. These exhibits include Exposure: Photos from the Vault, A Visual Alphabet: Herbert Bayer’s Anthology Paintings, Charles Deas & 1840s America and March Brandenburg: Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft.

Of course the museum also features at least twelve permanent exhibits that are exquisite. The permanent exhibits include African Art, American Indian Art, Architecture, Design & Graphics, Asian Art, European & American Art, Modern & Contemporary Art, Oceanic Art, Photography, Pre-Colombian Art, Spanish Colonial Art, Textile Art, and Western American Art.

The Denver Art Museum is a must see for every visitor. There is a lot to see, experience and explore.

Terry Daniels has worked as a travel agent for the last 35 years and written several of articles about things to do in Denver.

Contact Info:
Terry Daniels
[email protected]
http://www.thingstodo.com/states/CO/denver.htm