|
|
History of the Planetarium |
1972 Mr. Overstreet left his position as school superintendent. Sometime after, the use of the planetarium fell and soon died out. The room was converted into an additional classroom and storage room. Later the theater style seating was removed from planetarium and was lost. 1990 A group of volunteers got planetarium going again. Volunteers started giving programs for the public and school classes.School district allowed use of room and paid for electricity and janitorial work. Occasionally, the school district paid for maintenance e.g. starball repair. In November the school board visited the planetarium as part of its regular meeting. Volunteers asked board to make more use of the planetarium. Room being used as a computer room. They hoped it could be converted back into a planetarium when new middle school opens. November 23rd - grand opening held with two shows. Attendance 55 people. 1991 November 13th -- a long Juneau Empire article published. "Stargazing, Juneau Style - Marie Drake's Planetarium Makes a Comeback" written by Sherry Simpson. 1992 Planetarium still used full time as a computer lab. School board asked by letter, "when the district considers how to use the Marie Drake building as the result of the new middle school, we recommend the planetarium again become a designated place for astronomy education as a part of the science curriculum. If other activities need to share that space, they should be compatible with the planetarium needs. " Two evenings a week, planetarium reserved through Community Schools for work sessions and public programs. 1993-1996 No record of title of shows. 1993 New middle school (DZ) opens. Space in the old middle school Marie Drake used by Juneau-Douglas High School and Harborview Elementary School. 1996 Michael Orelove starts volunteering at the planetarium. He becomes director in 2001. 1997 Spitz maintenance person comes from Seattle. Cost paid by Juneau School District and donations from public planetarium show audiences. 2001 Summer Solstice (June 20) - Dedication of downtown community sundial 2002 Juneau Community Planet Walk created at Twin Lakes - Opening celebration September 1st. 2003 Tidal Gauge created at downtown dock. 2004 United States Map Created on downtown dock. 2006 The Planetarium sign and logo created by Jesse Peterson. It is above the entrance to the Marie Drake building. Michael Orelove moves to Gresham, OR where he continues to be active in the community, including various astronomy related projects. 2009 Volunteers give a presentation given to the Juneau school board. 2010 Sundial destroyed in late October, 2010 to as part of the Visitor's Center, Customs/Port Building Project Website updated and expanded. Email contact list started - has 40 people. 2011 Enter Astronomy Magazine contest. The 2010 'Out-of-this-world Award' recognizes excellence in astronomy outreach. The winning group receives $2,500 to put toward their public programming. |
1964 Bill Overstreet became the Juneau School District's Superintendent. He presented to the school board the idea of adding a planetarium to the plans for the new Marie Drake Junior High School. 1967 New Marie Drake Junior High School opened with a planetarium room sustaining a 30 foot dome with theatre style concentric seating and a SPITZ star ball machine. A full time teacher, Albert Shaw, was hired to teach school classes and give public presentations. His title was planetarium director. He developed a planetarium program for k-6th grades. These programs given in planetarium. He also did programs for higher grade levels in their regular classrooms. He also gave public presentations. The school district paid his salary and the planetarium had budget for things such as instructional supplies. |