Henry Draper Observatory facts for kids
|
Henry Draper Observatory
|
|
Front view of building in 2007
|
|
 Location in New York
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 407 Broadway, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | c. 1860 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001237 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | May 15, 1975 |
| Designated NHL | May 15, 1975 |
The Henry Draper Observatory is a special historic building. It is also known as Draper Cottage. You can find it in Draper Park in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.
This building was originally an astronomical observatory. It was built around 1860 for a famous scientist named Henry Draper. He used it to take some of the very first photographs of the Moon through a telescope. These pictures, taken in 1863, even showed clear features on the Moon's surface!
Today, the Henry Draper Observatory is a local history museum. It helps people learn about the past of Hastings-on-Hudson. It is a very important place for science and history.
Contents
Who Was Henry Draper?
Henry Draper (1837-1882) was a brilliant scientist. He was especially interested in astrophotography. This is the art of taking pictures of objects in space.
His father, John William Draper (1811-1882), was also a famous scientist. John William Draper made important improvements to early photography. He helped make the "daguerreotype" process better. Both father and son were very influential in their time.
Henry Draper's Amazing Discoveries
At his observatory, Henry Draper focused on astrophotography. He used his telescope to capture images of the Moon. His 1863 Moon photos were groundbreaking. They were among the first to show clear details.
He also worked on photographing stars and other celestial bodies. His work helped create the field of astrophysics. This field combines astronomy with physics.
From Observatory to Museum
The observatory was expanded while Henry Draper used it. A second dome was added to the building. This allowed for more telescopes and research.
After Henry Draper passed away, his sister, Antonia Draper Dixon, took over the building. In 1905, the second dome was damaged by a fire. But Antonia Dixon had it rebuilt.
A New Purpose for the Building
In 1912, Antonia Dixon changed the building. She made it her home. She lived there until she passed away in 1923.
Later, the building and the park around it became property of Hastings-on-Hudson village. There was a special rule that the building must be used as a museum. This is why it is now home to the local historical society. It helps preserve the history of the area.
A National Historic Landmark
The Henry Draper Observatory was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1975. This means it is a very important historical site in the United States. It was first thought to be his father's home, but it was Henry's observatory.
