H. R. MacMillan Space Centre facts for kids
Main entrance to the Space Centre, shared with the Museum of Vancouver
|
|
| Established | 1968 |
|---|---|
| Location | 1100 Chestnut Street Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Type | Planetarium |
| Visitors | 126,420 (2018) |
| Owner | H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Society |
The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre is a cool place in Vancouver, British Columbia, where you can learn all about space and stars! It's located in Vanier Park. It first opened its doors on October 28, 1968. Back then, it had a special Star Theatre that used lights to show you the night sky.
Now, it has lots of exhibits to explore and a demonstration theatre. They host fun talks and events there. It even shares its building with the Museum of Vancouver, so you can visit two amazing places at once! Right next door, there's also the Gordon MacMillan Southam Observatory, where you can look through telescopes.
What's in a Name?
The Space Centre is named after a kind person named H. R. MacMillan. He was a very successful businessman in the lumber industry. He loved to help others and gave money to good causes. He paid for the Star Theatre to be part of the building when it was being planned. Even today, many people in Vancouver still call it "the Planetarium."
How the Building Was Designed
The building was designed in the 1960s by an architect named Gerald Hamilton. It was first planned to be called The Centennial Museum. The planetarium part was added later because of H.R. MacMillan's generous donation.
Outside the museum, you can see a sculpture called The Crab. It was created by George Norris. His sculpture won a design competition in 1967. The Space Centre was originally known as the H.R. MacMillan Planetarium. In the 1990s, it changed its name and added more exhibit space. This new space was built into one of the wings of the building it shares with the Museum of Vancouver. The whole facility was updated and renovated in 1997-98 by Matsuzaki Wright Architects.
See also
In Spanish: Centro espacial H. R. MacMillan para niños
