‘American Legend’ exhibition to offer an out-of-this-world collection of rare space photos
May 19, 2025
A partnership between Columbus State University's Bo Bartlett Center and its Coca-Cola Space Science Center will provide a rare glimpse into American space exploration. The summer-long exhibition features hundreds of never-before-displayed photos, many captured through the personal lens of astronaut David R. Scott during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The exhibition, entitled “American Legend: Images from Space that Fire the Imagination,” runs from June 3 through Aug. 2 at the Bo Bartlett Center. The 27 photographs that comprise the exhibition are from Scott’s personal collection—many taken from his own perspective as a member of the Gemini VIII, Apollo 9 and Apollo 15 space missions—and will be displayed publicly for the first time.
“This summer-long exhibition provides us the space to bring items from the Scott collection out of storage for the benefit of space enthusiasts, history buffs and budding astronauts of all ages,” explained Dr. Shawn Cruzen, executive director of the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. “These images detail the history of American space travel—and each is a work of art. What better place to display them than at the Bo Bartlett Center, one of our university’s and region’s most renowned art galleries.”
Through David’s brother, Tom, who has professional ties to Columbus, the Scotts have loaned and donated items to the Coca-Cola Space Science Center since 2011, making it home to one of the most extensive collections of space artifacts in the Southeast. Their most recent donation, in February 2024, added artifacts flown on the Gemini and Apollo missions to the center’s collection, which now includes more than 300 NASA items documenting these and the Space Shuttle programs.
Many items in the Scott collection are one of a kind. Among the collection's most distinctive artifacts are images of moon rocks, lunar surface photos, contractors’ models of NASA spacecraft, and other items that have traveled with Scott and other astronauts in space.
After serving on Gemini VIII (1966) and Apollo 9 (1969) and commanding the Apollo 15 (1971) mission, Scott became the director of NASA’s Armstrong (then Dryden) Flight
Center. Now 92, Scott is one of only 12 humans to have walked on the moon to date.
During his aerospace career, he logged a total of 546 hours and 54 minutes in space,
including 20 hours and 46 minutes in extravehicular activity. In 2024, Scott was promoted
to the rank of brigadier general for his meritorious service to the United States.
“American Legend” and other Bo Bartlett Center exhibitions are open to the public for free from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Tuesday through Saturday. For group tours, contact Gallery Coordinator Julie Umberger at (706) 507-8432 or umberger_julie@columbusstate.edu.
ABOUT THE COCA-COLA SPACE SCIENCE CENTER
The Coca-Cola Space Science Center has been inspiring visitors of all ages to look to the stars since its opening in
1996. As Georgia’s only science center and museum facility dedicated to providing
experiences for students and public visitors in astronomy and space science, its galleries,
aerospace artifacts and science education programs have fostered an appreciation for
science and technology, as well as advanced scientific literacy throughout our local
and academic communities.
Outside its galleries, cornerstones of Coca-Cola Space Science Center’s programming include its Omnisphere Theatre planetarium and its Westrock Observatory. The planetarium features a full-dome digital projection system, often showcasing documentaries and constellation-mapping events. The WestRock Observatory is one of Georgia’s premier public observatories and home to a research-grade telescope. Complementing the center’s stargazing programs is a fleet of over 20 portable telescopes, a portable planetarium system, a van for providing mobile programs, and a remotely controlled solar observatory.
An outreach program of the university’s College of Education & Health Professions, the Coca-Cola Space Science Center serves as a training site for Columbus State students pursuing degrees that lead to careers in the sciences and science education. CSU alumni who have served in the center’s educational program are now employed at NASA, Teledyne, The Planetary Sciences Institute, Axiom Space and Blue Origin—to name a few.
For more information about the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, visit ccssc.org.
Main image: Astronaut and mission commander David Scott salutes the American flag during an Apollo 15 moonwalk.
Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, Columbus State University, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu