Plaque

Object Name:

Plaque

Object ID:

1997.001.04

Date:

1961

Description:

Plaque honoring Admiral Shepard for being the first American astronaut in space, presented by the Town of Derry, NH, in 1961. Bronze and brass plates mounted on wood (cherry?). Bronze plate engraved with image of Shepard in space capsule, cord tied around capsule, and letters "EDOM" visible in lower left. Brass plate, below bronze, reads "PROUDLY PRESENTED TO / ALAN B. SHEPARD JR. / AMERICAS FIRST ASTRONAUT / FROM / THE CITIZENS OF DERRY, N.H. / SPACETOWN, U.S.A."

Material:

Bronze
Brass
Wood

Dimensions:

H-15 W-12 inches

Provenance:

Admiral Alan Bartlett Shepard, Jr. (1923-1998), born and raised in Derry, NH. Great-great-great-great-grandson of Gen. Joseph Cilley. In 1961, Shepard became the first American astronaut in space, commanding a 15-minute flight in the Mercury space capsule. In 1971, he commanded Apollo 14, which was the 3rd American moon landing; he was the 5th person to walk on the moon. Donations include a flag and medal that accompanied Shepard on Apollo 14. Shepard retired from NASA and the U.S. Navy, holding the rank of Rear Admiral, in 1974.

Credit Line:

Gift of Alan B. Shepard, Jr.

People:

Shepard, Alan B. (1923-1998)

Subjects:

Astronauts, Plaques, Space flight, Space vehicles, Spacecraft