Hayden Planetarium

Collection includes administrative records, reports, publications, correspondence, and materials related to construction and public relations. It also includes documents, audiovisual, and visual materials relating to exhibits and planetarium shows.

The majority of the material was transferred from the Perkins Library in the 1990s. The collection is in need of processing and subject to institutional restrictions.

Contains documents regarding planning the construction and operation of the original Hayden Planetarium, including reports on financing and estimated costs made by The American Museum of Natural History Planetarium Authority, New York State and the City of New York laws and deed documents created to authorize the planetarium construction.

Collection of printed ephemera from various planetaria around the world, including Hayden Planetarium. Also includes material from manufacturers of planetarium star shows, such as Zeiss and Spitz. Ephemera includes brochures, pamphlets, and booklets among other material.

Includes one transmittal form from Ed Berry to Joel Sweimler and one letter from H.E. Zelman of Charles Herman Construction, Inc., general contractors to Wm. F. Pedersen and Associates, dated December 14, 1972. Images of foundation, 1st, and 2nd floors.

Slides from old Hayden Planetarium including the Hall of the Sun exhibits, murals, art and Zeiss projector. Images of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, moon rocks and moon surface, sun spots, stars, constellations, eclipse, galaxy, nebulas. Total solar eclipse from February 16, 1980, taken at Voi, Kenya, Africa. Eclipse of the moon dated March 13, 1960. Jay Barbree Space Collection includes astronaut medallions, matches, boxes, patches. Many images of Planetarium sculpture (Michelle Doner).

Photographs of the construction of the interior and exterior of the Hayden Planetarium.