Both Aven Stewart and Bailey Turfitt have personal connections to The Science Place, a beloved science and technology museum that operated in Fair Park from 1946 to 2006. Known for its interactive approach to education, The Science Place was heavily influenced by other prominent institutions like COSI in Ohio and the Exploratorium in San Francisco. Stewart explained that the museum underwent several name changes over the years and remained in Fair Park until 2012, despite the formal end of its independent existence in 2006 due to a merger with the Natural History Museum. This merger resulted in the formation of the Museum of Nature and Science, and eventually, the museum relocated to a new facility downtown, becoming the Perot Museum in 2012.

Aven attended preschool at the museum, a fact they discovered through their research, revealing it as one of the private preschools in the area. Field trips were a staple for many students from the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) and surrounding public school districts during the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s.

Bailey recalled visiting the museum almost every weekend with their grandfather, an engineer, which inspired their interest in science and led to their studies in forensic biology at the University of North Texas (UNT). One of Bailey’s favorite exhibits was the “Hall of Health,” which showcased different types of prosthetics and the human body, including an ambulance where visitors could practice CPR on a dummy.

Aven’s favorite exhibit was the Electric Theater, a theatrical show that demonstrated electromagnetic and electromechanical principles using high-voltage contraptions.The entire show and all original devices were created by Lloyd Ritchey. This dramatic and unique exhibit left a lasting impression on many visitors and has not been replicated elsewhere.

The Science Place, a beloved science and technology museum located in Fair Park, Dallas, closed its doors in 2006. Yet, its influence continued to resonate with those who grew up visiting the museum. Aven Stewart and Bailey Turfitt are among these individuals, and their dedication to preserving the museum’s history led to the creation of The Science Place Foundation, a project aimed at re-establishing and commemorating the museum’s legacy.

The idea for this project took root during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Aven, Bailey, and a few friends, all with backgrounds in engineering, found themselves reminiscing about their childhood visits to The Science Place. They realized there was a significant gap in the documentation of the museum’s history. Despite their skills in online research, they found very few photos, videos, or substantial discussions about the museum on the internet. This realization spurred them into action.

Initially, the project was a digital endeavor. The team utilized tools like the Wayback Machine and scoured social media to gather any available information. However, they soon hit a wall, having exhausted all digital resources. This led them to reach out to former employees, staff, and volunteers of The Science Place. The breakthrough came when these individuals began contacting the team, eager to contribute their stories and memorabilia. An early article in D Magazine titled “Long Live The Science Place” helped garner public interest and support. This social element transformed the project from a purely digital effort into a physical one. The team established a subreddit where the public could share images, stories, and videos, which significantly enriched their archive.

“The timeline of the museum’s history is nearly ready to be displayed online, although we are still working on making it comprehensive. The archive includes thousands of digital objects and hundreds of physical items, some of which, like a robotic dinosaur, hold significant nostalgic value,” noted Bailey.

One of the project’s goals is to support other museums by sharing exhibits and providing insights into successful interactive education models. The team is committed to overcoming challenges, including cloudy copyright and intellectual property issues, to make the archive accessible to the public. They aim to create a detailed timeline and documentation that will allow people to explore the rich history of The Science Place, recognizing everyone involved in its legacy. As they have accumulated a vast archive of physical items and digital records, they face the ongoing challenge of managing and showcasing their collection to the public.

Currently, the foundation does not have a public exhibition space. However, interested individuals can reach out to schedule viewings of the archive’s items. Aven and Bailey acknowledge that storage is a significant challenge, especially for larger items such as the 80-foot-long solar aircraft, the Gossamer Penguin. Their collection includes a wide range of artifacts, from pressed pennies from the original gift shop to historic, one-of-a-kind experimental aircraft.

Bailey explained that moving and storing such large items has been quite an endeavor. They continually research better storage and restoration methods and use archive boxes to protect items. Aven’s background in art preservation helps safeguard objects from UV rays and other potential damages. Many items donated by former employees are in pristine condition, reflecting the deep appreciation and care these individuals had for their work at The Science Place.

The foundation’s ethos is to prevent any further deterioration of their items. This principle extends to the Gossamer Penguin, which was already in a deteriorated state when acquired. They face the classic museum dilemma of whether to restore artifacts to their original condition or preserve them as they are. Aven and Bailey have adopted museum science practices and formed partnerships with institutions such as the Dallas Historical Society and other local organizations to enhance their preservation efforts.

One of the foundation’s primary goals is to create a public exhibit. They are working on multiple projects to achieve this, including a Science Place documentary. By interviewing former staff and volunteers and collecting archival footage, they aim to complete the documentary this year and premiere it at a film festival or Dallas theater next year.

Another significant project is establishing a public archive. At a minimum, this will involve an online catalog where people can see what items are in the collection and request appointments for research or inquiries. The foundation also plans to collaborate with a gallery called Ephemeral Space to create a temporary public display of their materials, providing an opportunity for the community to engage with the history of The Science Place and meet those who were originally involved.

“In addition, we are exploring the possibility of creating an exhibit within Fair Park. Working with Fair Park officials, we aim to establish a permanent or temporary display documenting the history of The Science Place and other museums within the Fair Park cultural track. This project could be housed in the former Natural History Museum, recently restored to its original condition, offering a space to educate the public about the rich history of these institutions,” stated Aven.

Among the numerous items in The Science Place Foundation’s physical archive, one particularly special artifact stands out: Bill’s Dinosaur. This exhibit, created by Bill Smith, a former Vice President of Exhibits at The Science Place, along with a team of engineers, holds a unique place in the hearts of many who visited the museum. Bill’s Dinosaur, standing about 10 or 11 feet tall, was constructed with a steel frame in the rough shape of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and featured pneumatic cylinders that controlled its arms, head, jaw, and tail. This interactive exhibit allowed children to press buttons and move different parts of the dinosaur, offering an educational glimpse into the mechanics behind the lifelike animatronic dinosaurs often displayed at the museum.

For Andrew Boerder, one of the foundation’s co-founders, Bill’s Dinosaur was more than just an exhibit—it was a source of inspiration. Andrew fondly remembered playing with the exhibit and aspiring to become a robotics engineer. This aspiration became a reality when Edward Ruiz, a former Science Place employee and well-known magician in Dallas, reached out to the foundation. Edward had saved Bill’s Dinosaur from being discarded when the museum closed and had kept it in his garage for nearly three decades. Upon hearing about The Science Place Foundation’s efforts, he loaned the dinosaur to the team for restoration. The restoration of Bill’s Dinosaur became a symbolic full-circle moment for Andrew. The artifact that had once inspired his career in robotics was now being revived under his care. This personal connection underscores the deep impact The Science Place had on its visitors and the enduring legacy it left behind.

The foundation’s work has fostered strong connections with many former staff members of The Science Place, such as Paul Vinson, a former VP of Exhibits, and John Cotton, who served as the planetarium director for over 40 years. These dedicated individuals are heartened to see the children they once educated grow into professionals in the fields of science and engineering. The foundation’s efforts serve as a testament to the lasting influence of The Science Place and the importance of recognizing and preserving the contributions of those who made it possible.

Aven Stewart and Bailey Turfitt are optimistic about the future of science and technology education in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW). They are committed to keeping the legacy of The Science Place alive and supporting other museums and educational initiatives. By sharing the success story of The Science Place, they hope to inspire similar projects and reassure smaller museums that a dedicated group of people can create impactful science education experiences.