Join Hamptons Observatory and Southampton Arts Center for a free, virtual lecture presented by Dr. Margaret Weitekamp (pictured above), Curator & Chair of the Space History Department at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, who’ll speak about the history of spaceflight and space science fiction.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR THIS FREE VIRTUAL EVENT:
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Dr. Weitekamp’s New Book, Space Craze
Virtual Astronomy Lecture:
“Space Craze: Exploring Space History & Science Fiction Through Artifacts” (A Free, Virtual Lecture)
SPEAKER: Dr. Margaret Weitekamp, Curator & Chair, Space History Department of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
CO-HOST: Southampton Arts Center
Registration is required: https://bit.ly/SpaceCrazeTalk
Hamptons Observatory and co-host, Southampton Arts Center, are pleased to present a free, virtual lecture by Dr. Margaret Weitekamp, Curator & Chair of the Space History Department at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
In this special evening, you’ll experience a space historian's tour through the history of spaceflight and space science fiction, as demonstrated through the Smithsonian's collection of space and science fiction memorabilia. Dr. Weitekamp’s talk will be based on her new book, Space Craze (Smithsonian Books, 2022). Spanning from the 1929 debut of the futuristic Buck Rogers to present-day privatization of spaceflight, Space Craze celebrates America's endless enthusiasm for space exploration. Featuring historical milestones in space exploration, films and TV shows, literature and comic strips, toys and games, and internet communities, Space Craze is a sci-fi lover's dream. The book investigates how spaceflight, both real and imagined, has served as the nexus where contemporary American concerns, such as race, gender, sexuality, freedom, and national identity, have been explored and redefined.
Dr. Margaret A. Weitekamp serves as chair for the Space History Department at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, and curates the Museum's social and cultural history of spaceflight collection of more than 5,000 artifacts. Her book, Space Craze: America’s Enduring Fascination with Real and Imagined Spaceflight, is based on that work. She co-authored the 2023 edition of Spaceships: An Illustrated History of the Real and Imagined, authored numerous scholarly articles, as well as Right Stuff, Wrong Sex: America's First Women in Space Program, and the award-winning children’s picture book, Pluto’s Secret: An Icy World’s Tale of Discovery. Weitekamp earned her PhD in history from Cornell University. During her graduate work, she was a Mellon fellow in the humanities and spent a year in residence at the NASA Headquarters History Office in Washington, D.C. as the American Historical Association / NASA Aerospace History Fellow. Before joining the Smithsonian, Weitekamp taught in the Women's Studies Program at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Hamptons Observatory extends its deepest thanks to Dr. Weitekamp for generously taking the time to share her expertise and to co-host Southampton Arts Center for partnering with us on this special event.
While this is a free lecture, donations are appreciated to help support our programs.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS FREE, VIRTUAL EVENT:
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