Save This Historic Space Artifact !
Donation protected
Hello! I need the help of my fellow hardcore Space History friends!! We are in danger of losing a rare and historic original artifact from the beginnings of the U.S. Space Program. An authentic and original Gemini program Capsule (Boilerplate) that was used to train the men and women who launched,operated and recovered Americas first Astronauts is up for sale and destined to possibly become someones yard decoration or worse, possibly even scrapped.
First, know that I am an exhibits and space related artifacts technician involved in outreach and education of the public and have been working on a service support contract at a NASA center for almost 13 years. I have nearly 35 years of building and fabrication experience and have a Bachelors degree in science education, which has added to my outreach duties, abilities and experience. This project will be a completely private undertaking through donations and contributions, and all money raised will be used exclusively, without exception, for completing, and continuing the project.
What I hope to accomplish, with any and all help I can get is :
1) Acquire the artifact quickly, for that I need at least $8,500 within 3 weeks (Time is my biggest critical issue here - others with different priorities are interested and potentially working to acquire it.)
2) Transport the Boilerplate from where it currently is in California to Ohio (Home...I have storage). This will cost roughly an additional $1,500 - $2,000
3) Restore the capsule as close to original specs and condition as possible using the wide array of NASA historical resources I have access to.
4) Incorporate the restored Capsule into a mobile exhibit (a custom trailer with an accurate and informative historical and educational theme) to be used, without cost or fee for the education of the public. i.e. airshows,schools,libraries,parades and endless other public events.
I grew up in Cocoa Beach Fla, in the shadow of Cape Kennedy and have been involved in NASA related history most of my life. My step father worked on the Apollo Program at the Cape and later the Shuttle and Cassini and other historic programs ... this has added greatly to my sense of space history. I have always felt great pride for the achievements and technological accomplishments of the U.S. Space Program and, as an active Exhibits Technician, I work on a daily basis with artifacts,exhibits and the people that made American space history. I would like to preserve for the future this genuine piece of American history, to be enjoyed forever by all, without cost or condition. If I achieve my goal, my pledge is to restore the artifact as completely as possible and to assure that it is as available to as many as possible, that it will never be sold or scrapped...only passed along when necessary to the next capable custodian that can do the same. It is inteded to be a permanent tribute to the American Space Program. Thank you in advance for any and all help and contributions...A record will be kept of each donation (unless it is requested not to be or made anonymously), however small or large , and will become a permanent part of the projects historical record. If acquired, a dedicated FaceBook page will be established as a means of tracking progress....Again, thank you in advance-Godspeed!
First, know that I am an exhibits and space related artifacts technician involved in outreach and education of the public and have been working on a service support contract at a NASA center for almost 13 years. I have nearly 35 years of building and fabrication experience and have a Bachelors degree in science education, which has added to my outreach duties, abilities and experience. This project will be a completely private undertaking through donations and contributions, and all money raised will be used exclusively, without exception, for completing, and continuing the project.
What I hope to accomplish, with any and all help I can get is :
1) Acquire the artifact quickly, for that I need at least $8,500 within 3 weeks (Time is my biggest critical issue here - others with different priorities are interested and potentially working to acquire it.)
2) Transport the Boilerplate from where it currently is in California to Ohio (Home...I have storage). This will cost roughly an additional $1,500 - $2,000
3) Restore the capsule as close to original specs and condition as possible using the wide array of NASA historical resources I have access to.
4) Incorporate the restored Capsule into a mobile exhibit (a custom trailer with an accurate and informative historical and educational theme) to be used, without cost or fee for the education of the public. i.e. airshows,schools,libraries,parades and endless other public events.
I grew up in Cocoa Beach Fla, in the shadow of Cape Kennedy and have been involved in NASA related history most of my life. My step father worked on the Apollo Program at the Cape and later the Shuttle and Cassini and other historic programs ... this has added greatly to my sense of space history. I have always felt great pride for the achievements and technological accomplishments of the U.S. Space Program and, as an active Exhibits Technician, I work on a daily basis with artifacts,exhibits and the people that made American space history. I would like to preserve for the future this genuine piece of American history, to be enjoyed forever by all, without cost or condition. If I achieve my goal, my pledge is to restore the artifact as completely as possible and to assure that it is as available to as many as possible, that it will never be sold or scrapped...only passed along when necessary to the next capable custodian that can do the same. It is inteded to be a permanent tribute to the American Space Program. Thank you in advance for any and all help and contributions...A record will be kept of each donation (unless it is requested not to be or made anonymously), however small or large , and will become a permanent part of the projects historical record. If acquired, a dedicated FaceBook page will be established as a means of tracking progress....Again, thank you in advance-Godspeed!
Organizer
John Oldham
Organizer
Rocky River, OH