Smithsonian poster exhibit pops up on Elmhurst History Museum's lawn
This summer, the Elmhurst History Museum is all about the moon and space travel, in particular commemorating two historic NASA missions that took place more than 50 years ago: Apollo 10 and Apollo 11.
Since May, "To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA," a touring exhibit from the Charles M. Schulz Museum, has been on display in the museum's gallery with images, artifacts and details related to the Apollo 10 mission and Snoopy's role in NASA's Manned Flight Safety Awareness program.
Apollo 10 was known as a "dress rehearsal" for the moon landing, which took place during Apollo 11's momentous voyage from July 16 to July 24, 1969.
The Elmhurst History Museum has now added to the "Snoopy Soars with NASA" visitor experience with a pop-up poster exhibit outdoors on the museum's east lawn.
"Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission," from the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Services (SITES), explores what led the United States to accept President John F. Kennedy's 1961 challenge of "landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth."
The resulting 953,054-mile voyage to the Moon and back was accomplished just eight years after the program was authorized.
"Destination Moon" examines the mission and recognizes the sacrifices and devotion of more than 400,000 people employed in NASA programs who worked through the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of the 20 missions that preceded Apollo 11 from 1961 to 1969. The exhibit features official NASA photographs of the mission and crew, which included astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, command module pilot; and Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, lunar module pilot.
"Destination Moon" and "Snoopy Soars with NASA" will run concurrently at the Elmhurst History Museum through Aug. 29, 2021.
In addition to the exhibits, the museum is presenting a number of programs and activities in the coming weeks including free Museum Maker Monday programs for families (July 12 and Aug. 9); an online prerecorded lecture, "Apollo 10: Dress Rehearsal for the Moon" (July 22-Aug. 29); a free concert featuring the music of Vince Guaraldi on the museum grounds (Aug. 7); and a Lunar Cartooners family workshop on July 17.
For more information on the exhibits and programs, visit elmhursthistory.org. The Elmhurst History Museum is located at 120 E. Park Ave. in downtown Elmhurst.
Museum hours are Sunday and Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, and limited free parking is available.
"To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA" is organized and toured by the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, Santa Rosa, California.