Archive & Collections
The Discovery Center Archive preserves the history and legacy of our organization through photographs, publications, artifacts, and records that document our programs, people, and milestones. This collection connects past and present, supporting education, research, and storytelling while ensuring our mission and impact are preserved for future generations.
About the Discovery Center Archive & Collections
Since the original opening of the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium in 1990, our organization has collected a wide variety of objects, documents, and artifacts that reflect the history of the planetarium, its educational mission, and the broader story of science education and discovery.
The scope of the museum’s collections continues to evolve as materials are identified, cataloged, and preserved. These collections include items related to the legacies of Christa McAuliffe and Alan Shepard, institutional history, and a broad range of scientific fields.
How to Access the Archive & Collections
Digital Collection: A growing portion of our collection is accessible online through our CatalogIt HUB. Visitors can explore records, images, and object information through this platform. We are continually cataloging and uploading new materials, so we encourage users to check back often as the digital collection expands.
In-Person Research: In-person access to the collection is also available for research purposes. Due to space, staffing, and preservation considerations, on-site access is limited and offered by appointment only. Researchers are invited to contact us in advance with details about their inquiry so we can determine availability and prepare relevant materials.
Please note that access to the collection, as well as the availability of specific collection materials, is at the discretion of Discovery Center staff.
How to Support this Work
Every contribution has a meaningful impact. Donations help ensure that letters, photographs, and artifacts are properly conserved and remain accessible to students, researchers, and the public. As this collection continues to grow, your support allows us to protect these materials and share them more widely.
We are also always interested in learning about potential additions to the collection. While we are actively accessioning and organizing materials and have temporarily paused in-person donations, we welcome inquiries about items you may wish to contribute. Please contact us to discuss your materials rather than bringing items to the museum directly.