Having happened upon your "Light pollution in a planetarium" thread this morning, I was led to this thread, which I proceded to read, non-stop... because I couldn't stop.
When I was about age eight (1952), every couple of months or so, my father began taking me to the Sunday afternoon "Sky Show" at Buhl Planetarium in Pittsburgh PA... which was, in those days, about an hour's drive north of home.
Possibly of interest, from an article in the December 2014 issue of "Planetarian - Journal of the International Planetarium Society":
Five Zeiss II projectors were installed in America during the 1930s.
Pittsburgh’s Zeiss II was the only Zeiss II to never receive any major modifications. Hence, by the 1990s, it was the oldest operable major planetarium projector in the world. After being dismantled in 2002 to make-way for building reuse by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, in 2010 it was reassembled for display-only at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Science Center, where it still can be found today.
Buhl’s Zeiss II was the first such projector to be placed on an elevator. This special elevator, with four huge worm gears, was custom-built by Pittsburgh’s Westinghouse Electric Company. When the projector was lowered below floor level into the Zeiss pit, a stage would be automatically installed above the projector, allowing the Theater of the Stars to be used for other presentations.
This fifth Zeiss II became publically operational in Buhl Planetariumm in October of 1939.
Within the nearly-darkened dome, the effect of the Tyranosaurus-looking Zeiss rising from its pit to the accompanyment of subtle classical music was overwhelmingly mesmerizing... and the presentations offered by the knowledgable staff were both profoundly captivating and informative. It is a direct result of my being exposed to these planetarium "sky shows" that I purchased my first "real" astronomical telescope (a 4.25-inch EQ-mounted Newtonian) at age ten... and have been a dedicated DSO visual observer ever since.
So for me, the value of an "old school" planetarium like yours, for enlightening and nurturing the love and investigation of the starry sky, can not be understated... and no amount of "thanks", for what you have done -- and are continuing to do -- could possibly be sufficient.
So glad you found my exploits worth reading and thank you for your kind words.
My understanding is that the Buhl Zeiss was lowered into a glass enclosed room in the basement and then visitors could get a close up look of this most unique beast. Sad they just didn't leave it there so that it could on occasion be brought up and enlighten each new generation of planetarium goers.
One of the attributes of seeing a classic planetarium star show is seeing that "Tyrannosaurus" in the center of the room. A magical beast that whisks us away to a magical land. A device that tells us that something special is about to happen. It is part of the show.
Not sure where in southern California you are but you might be interested in a planetarium museum in Big Bear Lake run by Owen Phairis.
If you like to drive you could make a long day trip and I would be happy to give you and/or your group a private show. (That goes for any other interested parties as well)
