11 replies to this topic

[RichardHennig]

Hi everyone,

 

I wanted to share a new project we’ve been assembling in Chiefland, Florida: the Chiefland Astronomy Heritage Museum. It’s a small but growing collection of classic telescopes and observing equipment. Our aim is to preserve and share the kinds of instruments that inspired generations of stargazers. The collection currently includes:

• High-quality instruments from makers like Zeiss and Astro-Physics, reflecting the craftsmanship that continues to inspire observers today
• Japanese refractors and reflectors from makers such as Vixen and Carton
• Classic American telescopes ranging from Project Moonwatch to a Criterion, Coulter, and Edmund Scientific
• A set of Celestron and Meade scopes illustrating their progression from the 70s to 2000s
• Unique and sometimes quirky designs, including the Coulter Travel Scope and the Jason Powerzoom pistol scope
• An eyepiece collection, spanning everything from vintage Kellners to the Carl Zeiss Orthos and the early Tele Vue Naglers and wide-fields

 

We’ve set up a basic website where you can browse some of the current exhibits:
 

https://chieflandastro.com/museum

We want to thank the many amateur astronomers for their kind donations and loans to the museum.
 

We’re still very much in the early stages, and there’s a lot more work ahead, but we’d love to share this with others who appreciate classic optics. If you have memories, stories, or advice, we’re always glad to learn from this community.

 

Thanks for reading—and clear skies from Chiefland!

Richard

 

 

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Edited by RichardHennig, 23 May 2025 - 07:59 PM.

[TOMDEY]

Nice! Is the museum incorporated as an NFP (which of course would help accepting donations, etc.)    Tom

[RichardHennig]

The museum is operated by Chiefland Astro Inc., a non-profit organization. Chiefland Astro also organizes the annual Astrofest and Spring picnic. You can find more information about these two starparties on our website http://chieflandastro.com.

 

The museum is open most third quarter and new moon weekends when many of our members are on the observing field, watching and photographing the sky.

Edited by RichardHennig, 23 May 2025 - 08:31 PM.

[Jeff_Richards]

You need to somehow get hold of a Tectron scope in the collection.

[CHASLX200]

I got my best view of M13 in 1986 up there with a 4" Unitron when it was very dark there.

[RichardHennig]

Jeff, a Tectron would be very fitting to have in our museum. The museum is actually in the same building where Tom Clark built the Tectron scopes. When cleaning up the space for the museum, there was a lot of sawdust from that time.

We also have a number of telescopes that we use for regular observing and outreach. A Tectron could serve both purposes, showing the history and the stars.

[RichardHennig]

Chas, I have never looked through a Unitron but hope that someday, I will have a chance.

While the sky is not as dark as it once was here, it is still excellent looking west, south, and up. In fact, many observers coming here see the zodiacal light for their first time. They sometimes ask where the faint light dome to the west comes from. They are surprised to learn that this light pollution originates from the dust in the solar system. Over the course of the evening, this light dome sets in the west.

[CHASLX200]

Chas, I have never looked through a Unitron but hope that someday, I will have a chance.

While the sky is not as dark as it once was here, it is still excellent looking west, south, and up. In fact, many observers coming here see the zodiacal light for their first time. They sometimes ask where the faint light dome to the west comes from. They are surprised to learn that this light pollution originates from the dust in the solar system. Over the course of the evening, this light dome sets in the west.

I went up there when it was just Billy up there in 1985.  So much darker then. The 4" F/15 frac just had crazy contrast in that dark sky.  Around 7 miles south is still very dark.  

Edited by CHASLX200, 24 May 2025 - 05:49 AM.

[bobhen]

Wonderful Idea. Good luck with the museum.

 

If you don't have a copy, Tom wrote a book titled, Starry Starry Nights that was published back in 2010. It's hard to find now but would certainly be a nice addition to the museum. The book covers everything from Tectron to Chiefland and more. There are also lots of historic photos in the book as well.

 

If you don't have a copy and after searching you can't find a copy, ship me a USPO box with a prepaid shipping label and I'll donate my copy to the museum.

 

Bob

 

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[RichardHennig]

Bob, that book would be a great addition. I will look for it.

[YourNotSirius]

My old man went there a few times. Once was to service an iOptron Mini Tower for someone. He said the skies at his place in the Panhandle were much better. Also, the city of Chiefland was not a happy place. Very run down and third world in nature.

 

The fact that a new museum has been assembled has made him smile, though. He says that it is a great place to have such a thing since the weather and skies there are infinitely better than here in New Hampshire, the rain capitol of the East Coast. Also known as "Astronomy Purgatory".

 

He just snickered and said "I wonder if they would like your late mom's Marvin The Martian telescope?" then wandered off with a really evil grin on his face!

 

FWIW

 

Q

[apfever]

You need to somehow get hold of a Tectron scope in the collection.

Wondering how Tom Clark is doing. I have one of his scopes, and set of his collimation tools.