Making History, Making Change Lecture Series

Innovation, Invention, and Memory: How the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Preserves How Spaceflight Is Remembered

Date: April 14, 2026

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX 75062

What happens to the story of space exploration after the rockets launch and the astronauts return home? Who preserves the memories, the artifacts, and the human stories that define one of humanity’s greatest adventures?

Join us at the April 14th Making History Making Change event in Irving, TX, for an inspiring evening with space historian Dr. Margaret A. Weitekamp, chair of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum’s Department of Space History and the curator of the Museum’s social and cultural history of spaceflight collection, as she explores how the Smithsonian preserves the cultural memory of spaceflight.

Space exploration is often told through the lens of technology like rockets, satellites, and spacecraft. But it is also a human story of invention, ambition, and imagination. In this lecture, Dr. Weitekamp will highlight how the Smithsonian collects and preserves the artifacts that tell this larger story: from commemorative medals and mission patches to exclusive jewelry and space-age memorabilia. Dr. Weitekamp will also look toward the future, including the excitement surrounding Artemis II, which will return humans to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

Whether you’re a lifelong space enthusiast, a history buff, or simply someone who remembers gazing up at the night sky and wondering what lies beyond, this lecture promises a fascinating look at how the story of spaceflight continues to evolve and how we remember it.

Come explore the human side of space exploration and rediscover the curiosity that inspires us to keep reaching for the stars.

The Irving Department of Arts and Culture is one of 25 Smithsonian Affiliate organizations nationwide to host the Smithsonian’s Making History, Making Change Lecture Series commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. From January to July, Smithsonian curators, scientists, educators, and historians will visit communities across the country to share stories that reflect the richness and complexity of the American experience.

The Making History, Making Change Lecture Series is organized by Smithsonian Affiliations as part of the Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250. It is supported in part by the Dreier Family, Johanna and Ken Kim Family, Vaishali Shah Chadha and Family, and Michael Vu & Meridel Bulle-Vu.