DAVENPORT, IOWA (July 8, 2019) — “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Neil Armstrong uttered those famous words nearly 50 years ago. As the world celebrates the anniversary of the momentous moon landing on July 20, 1969, the Putnam Museum and Science Center is taking a giant leap to celebrate the historic event.
Beginning July 13, Apollo 11: First Steps Edition will play on the Putnam’s GIANT Screen. The thrilling cinematic experience showcases footage from the iconic Apollo 11 mission. Created exclusively for science centers and museum theaters, the reconstructed film shows the exhilarating final moments of preparation, liftoff, landing, and return — including never-before-seen footage and audio.
“Our first journey to the moon exemplifies the best of humanity — heroism, sacrifice, bravery, and hard work,” said Rachael Mullins Steiner, Putnam president and CEO. "Apollo 11 and the space race represent an important time in science and in our history, blazing a new path for space exploration and showing the world what can be accomplished with vision, ingenuity, and unwavering commitment. The Putnam is proud to celebrate these brave explorers and to create a shared experience for the Quad Cities community to commemorate this historic accomplishment."
Festivities celebrating the first manned mission to the moon continue July 20 with a special Lunar Landing Party, starting at 7PM at the Putnam. Guests will have the opportunity to step back in time to 1969, where they’ll see a recreated living room, dance to the hits of the time, and watch the actual footage shown at 9:56PM — the exact landing time — on the GIANT Screen. Special activities, appetizers and cocktails will also be available. Guests are invited to dress in ’60s attire, and each attendee will receive one pass to come back to the Putnam and view Apollo 11: First Steps Edition.
Also, July 20 and 21, the Putnam will host The Day We Walked on the Moon on the GIANT Screen for two days only. The Smithsonian Channel documentary tells the story of the historic moon-landing through interviews with key figures in Mission Control, contemporary astronauts and the families of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. Viewers will have the chance to learn just how dangerous the mission really was.
“As an outreach affiliate for NASA’s National Space Grant program, the Putnam is excited to offer these fun and engaging programs, so guests of all ages can share their remembrances and learn something new about this historic event,” said Mullins Steiner. “Both films are incredible on the GIANT Screen, and the Lunar Landing Party is going to be a blast from the past for fans of NASA and the 1960s.”
Tickets to a showing of Apollo 11: First Steps Edition, beginning July 13, are $9 for adults and $8 for members, youth, seniors, military members, and college students. Tickets to the Lunar Landing Party on July 20 are $30 for nonmembers and $25 for members. Entry to The Day We Walked on the Moon showings on July 20 at Noon and 4PM, and July 21 at 2PM, is free with the purchase of a general admission ticket or ticket to Apollo 11.
For more information about the moon-landing anniversary activities, please visit Putnam.org.
About the Putnam
The Putnam has been inspiring ideas, dialogue, and interaction among people of all ages for 150 years. And today, we’re better than ever with hands-on fun for the whole family. Launch rockets or interact with a robot in the Science Center, “touch the untouchable” in the Augmented Reality Experience, visit our famous mummies in Unearthing Ancient Egypt, climb into a tree house in Black Earth | Big River, or go back in time to see our region’s history in River, Prairie, and People. Also experience internationally recognized traveling exhibits or take in a movie in the GIANT Screen Theater with a screen towering six stories tall. Our welcoming team is dedicated to helping you discover and explore in a friendly and engaging place.
