
This snapshot, dated November 1957, shows Dr. von Braun in downtown Huntsville, Alabama.

NASA ASSOC. ADMIN. ROBERT LIGHTFOOT SPEAKS AT DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE, INC. ANNUAL MEETING

NASA ASSOC. ADMIN. ROBERT LIGHTFOOT SPEAKS AT DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE, INC. ANNUAL MEETING

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center showcased it's various projects for the public in Huntsville, Alabama's Big Spring Park. Exhibits were displayed by all of the various directorates of the Center with employee volunteers explaining all aspects of their projects. Adding to the festivities was the attendance of retired NASA astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson.Chad Emerson, President of Downtown Huntsville, Inc., fist bumps with Oscar the Robot.

This historical photo of the South side of Square in downtown Huntsville, Alabama was taken in 1965. (Courtesy of Huntsville/Madison County Public Library)

This is a 1956 night shot of the east side of Square in downtown Huntsville, Alabama. Photo Courtesy of Huntsville Public Library

This 1940s photo of the South side of Square in downtown Huntsville, Alabama, looking west, shows a historical bank in the background with cars parked just South of the Courthouse (not shown in photo). (Courtesy of Huntsville/Madison County Public Library)

MORE THAN 7,500 PEOPLE ATTENDED NASA MARSHALL SPACE CENTER AND DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE, INC.’S THIRD ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF NASA AND THE COMMUNITY JUNE 18. THIS YEAR, THE EVENT MOVED TO HUNTSVILLE’S BIG SPRING PARK.

Temporary quarters in the Huntsville Industrial Center (HIC) building located in downtown Huntsville, Alabama, as Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) grew. This image shows drafting specialists from the Propulsion and Vehicle Engineering Laboratory at work in the HIC building.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle with the Polaris representative and representatives from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. The Polaris Lunar Rover replica leads the parade into the Huntsville Square

Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of the U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency's (ABMA) Development Operations Division, talks to Huntsville Mayor R. B. "Speck" Searcy, center, and Army Ordnance Missile Command (ARMC) Major General John B. Medaris, right, during "Moon Day" celebrations in downtown Huntsville, Alabama. (Courtesy of Huntsville/Madison County Public Library)

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. MSFC Director Jody Singer and U.S. Space and Rocket Center Director Deborah Barnhart lead the parade into the Huntsville Square.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. Retired engineers Sonny Morea and Richard Hoover sit in the Polaris Lunar Rover replica.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. Marshall Center Director Jody Singer with retired engineer Alex McCool.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. Marshall Center Director Jody Singer addresses the crowd.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. Retired NASA engineer Richard Hoover chats with attendees

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. Marshall Center Director Jody Singer addresses the crowd.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. Marshall Center Director Jody Singer addresses the crowd.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. Marshall Center Director Jody Singer sits in the Polaris Lunar Rover replica.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. Retired NASA engineer Sonny Morea sits in the Polaris Lunar Rover Replica

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. The Polaris Lunar Rover replica is being driven out of its trailer.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. The Lunar Rover replica, followed by MSFC Director Jody Singer, USSRC Director Deborah Barnhart, and May Tommy Battle lead the parade to the Huntsville square.

The City of Huntsville hosted a celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with a street party on the downtown square with exhibits from the Marshall Space Flight Center and contributing contractors. The event was kicked off with remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Marshall Space Flight Center's Director Jody Singer, and U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Director Deborah Barnhart with the Polaris replica of the Lunar Moon Buggy in the foreground. The Polaris Lunar Rover development team poses with retired NASA personnel who also volunteer as docents at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of the U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency's (ABMA) Development Operations Division, rides with his two daughters, Margrit and Iris, in a parade in downtown Huntsville, Alabama, March 4, 1959. Although the official occasion had been plarned a "Moon Day" weeks before, it was the successful launch of the sun probe Pioneer IV two days previously that increased the celebratory atmosphere.

NASA in the Park on June 16 in Huntsville featured more than 60 exhibits and demonstrations by NASA experts, as well as performances by Marshall musicians, educational opportunities, games and hands-on activities for all ages. Marshall employees Ola Metcalfe (L), and Sherrie Stroud proudly display trophies awarded to them by Downtown Inc. President, Chad Emerson, in appreciation of their efforts in the five year partnership with NASA in the Park.