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The city of Aurora History Museum, in collaboration with Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum and Stanley Marketplace, is pleased to announce the new exhibition, “Building on Stanley’s Foundation.” The exhibition opened to the public Thursday, Jan. 11, at Stanley Marketplace and is a unique opportunity for its 1.1 million annual visitors to learn about the innovators who created systems that saved countless pilots’ lives in that very same building 70 years ago. The exhibition features two ejection seats originally built at the facility, historic photographs and the story of Bob Stanley and Stanley Aviation.
“The museum is really excited to open ‘Building on Stanley’s Foundation,’” said T. Scott Williams, museum director. “This was a great opportunity to work with Wings Over the Rockies and Stanley Marketplace to tell the amazing story of Stanley Aviation to the huge audience walking through Stanley Marketplace each day; this exhibit will highlight the lifesaving technology developed right here in Aurora.”
Bob Stanley was already an accomplished engineer and test pilot when he formed his own company in 1948. He had test-flown America’s first jet and overseen the design of the first airplanes to exceed Mach 1 and 3. In 1954, he moved Stanley Aviation to Aurora, Colorado. Stanley’s mission was to save the lives of pilots in damaged aircraft. Stanley’s talented team pioneered innovative escape systems for both airplanes flying slowly near ground level and supersonic jets high in the stratosphere.
Discover the history of Stanley Aviation and visit “Building on Stanley’s Foundation” at Stanley Marketplace. Stanley Marketplace is located at 2501 Dallas St. and is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Explore unique exhibitions and the history of Aurora at AuroraMuseum.org. Learn about the city’s activities at GoAurora.org. For information about exhibits and events at Stanley Marketplace and Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, visit StanleyMarketplace.com and WingsMuseum.org.
About the Aurora History Museum
The Aurora History Museum opened in 1979. In 1990, it moved to its present location, reopened in 1991 and became a part of the city of Aurora Cultural Services Division, the largest single provider of arts and culture programs in Aurora. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. To stay up to date on related programming, call 303.739.6660 or visit AuroraMuseum.org.