Roswell Museum, Roswell, New Mexico, USA

The Roswell Museum was founded in 1936.  The museum features exhibits about the art and history of the American Southwest, as well as the Robert H. Goddard laboratory.

Roswell Museum: 1011 N Richardson Ave, Roswell, New Mexico

The Museum opened in 1937, deriving its initial support from the Works Progress Administration as part of a Depression era project to promote public art centers nationwide. Today, the Roswell Museum is among a handful of these Federal Art Centers that remain in operation.

Robert Hutchings Goddard was an American engineer, professor, physicist, and inventor who is credited with creating and building the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket. Goddard successfully launched his rocket on March 16, 1926, which ushered in an era of space flight and innovation.

Looking for a locale to conduct his experiments that was rural and with a good year-round climate led Goddard to Roswell, New Mexico where he remained for 12 years. During this time, Goddard and his crew made major strides on practical matters of launch control, tracking, and recovery. Seventeen of fifty-six flights accomplished in Roswell reached altitudes of over 1,000 feet.

A model of his first rocket.

Evolution of his rocket thrust chambers

Recreation of his laboratory

Collections of historical items.