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Glasses, Eclipse
Identifier:
2017.42.1Description:
These white paper glasses by the company American Paper Optics were customized with the Museum and WZZM's logo for the Grand Rapids Public Museum's "Eclipse Party" in on August 21, 2017 for viewing the solar eclipse. During a solar eclipse, the moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun on its orbit around the planet and the sun will appear black as the moon passes if the viewer is in the path of totality. The last time a solar eclipse had happened over the United States was 1979 and the next time it is due to happen will be in 2024.According to NASA's recommendations, looking directly at the sun is unsafe except during the brief total phase of a solar eclipse (“totality”), when the moon entirely blocks the sun’s bright face, which will happen only within the narrow path of totality. In Grand Rapids, there was an approximately 80% totality during the eclipse and these glasses were required to view the entire experience. These glasses were in high demand and represent the community's participation in experiencing this rare and extraordinary phenomenon.
Date:
August 21 2017Materials:
Paper, PlasticDimensions:
1 1/2"" h 16"" wCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 3Source:
Gift of the Grand Rapids Public MuseumRelated Entities:
Grand Rapids Public Museum (donor)Alternate names: Grand Rapids Lyceum of Natural History, Grand Rapids Scientific Club, GRPM, Kent Scientific Institute, Kent Scientific Museum, Public Museum of Grand Rapids, Public Museum of West Michigan
The Grand Rapids Lyceum of Natural History was established in 1854 by a group of civic leaders, inspired by a movement sweeping the country. Followers of the Lyceum Movement believed that education, in the form of libraries, museums, lectures and discussions, and public schools, could help right the illnesses of society and preserve democracy.
In the early 1860s the Civil War had put a halt to the activities of the Lyceum. But in the summer of 1865, the war was over, and the enthusiasm of a group of teenage boys for new ideas about science and nature would bring the fledgling Museum back to life.
In 1868 the Grand Rapids Lyceum of Natural History and the Grand Rapids Scientific Club merged to form the Kent Scientific Institute. The new organization successfully combined the youthful enthusiasm of local high school students with the experience of prominent civic leaders to create a successful museum for their community.
In 1881, the Kent Scientific Institute reached an agreement with the Board of Education which allowed them to store their collections at Central High School.
In February of 1903, the Board of Education agreed to purchase the Howlett House, at the corner of Jefferson and Washington, to be the permanent home of the Kent Scientific Institute.
The "new" Grand Rapids Public Museum was built during the Great Depression with WPA funds from the Federal Government. The building itself was a radical departure from most contemporary museums, and was described by Museum Director Frank DuMond as "accessible as a dime store and friendly as your next door neighbor."
The Grand Rapids Public Museum began experimenting with planetarium equipment in the early 1960s, and hired its first curator for the new technology in 1964. The planetarium was eventually named after Grand Rapids astronaut Roger B. Chaffee, who was killed in the Apollo I disaster on January 27, 1967.
In 1989, the Grand Rapids Public Museum took over the management of the Voigt House in the Heritage Hill Neighborhood. The opulent home was built in 1895 and includes more than 100 years of the Voigt family's possessions.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum's current facility opened in 1994 on the west bank of the Grand River in the heart of downtown. It contains three floors of exhibits, the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, the Cook Carousel Pavilion, Meijer Theater, cafe, and gift shop.
American Paper Optics (creator)
