GALLIPOLIS — A traveling exhibition on space exploration will open on Saturday, September 7 in Gallipolis at the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library. “SPACE: A Journey to Our Future” is an interactive exhibit produced by Evergreen Exhibitions in educational collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and will be on display at the library through January 5, 2020.

The 5,000-square-foot SPACE exhibition has traveled to major science centers and museums across North America, including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. This exhibit presents educational elements in scenic environments that fuel visitors’ imaginations in the future of space exploration, emphasizing current and future exploits in human spaceflight. Visitors can examine the discoveries of the past, while investigating the explorers of today who are shaping the future of space exploration.

Bossard Library Director Debbie Saunders noted that it is the goal of the library to provide enriching experiences for those in the community and beyond.

“To have this major exhibition on display close to home affords an opportunity to those who would otherwise not have such an experience,” she stated. “We believe that this space exhibition will provide visitors of all ages with an entertaining, educational benefit.”

Saunders further commended the local community for its support in making it possible for the library to bring this exhibit to Gallipolis.

“I am often asked how a library located in a community of our size is able to provide such diverse programs and services. Simply stated, the library is able to offer these programs due to the support of those in our community,” Saunders said. “In addition, our community is fortunate to have a visionary, community-minded library board of trustees and dedicated library staff.”

SPACE is a self-paced and fully-interactive exhibit, featuring child-friendly interactives, immersive environments and state-of-the-art technology, which brings the story of space exploration to life. Highlights of the exhibit include a self-powered centrifuge, a full-scale future lunar habitat and work station, a wide-range of artifacts from the space program, and opportunities to touch pieces of the Moon and Mars. Visitors can also interactively plan their own trip to Mars.

In 2016, Bossard Memorial Library hosted the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit where nearly 20,000 visitors passed through the exhibition, 6,000 of which were students. Bossard Library Board President Robbie Jenkins stated that he hopes the SPACE exhibit will exceed these attendance numbers during its four-month run at the library.