A partnership between Columbus State University's Bo Bartlett Center and its Coca-Cola Space Science Center will provide a rare glimpse into American space exploration. The summer-long exhibition features hundreds of never-before-displayed photos, many captured through the personal lens of astronaut David R. Scott during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The exhibition, entitled “American Legend: Images from Space that Fire the Imagination,” runs from June 3 through Aug. 2 at the Bo Bartlett Center. The 27 photographs that comprise the exhibition are from Scott’s personal collection—many taken from his own perspective as a member of the Gemini VIII, Apollo 9 and Apollo 15 space missions—and will be displayed publicly for the first time.

“This summer-long exhibition provides us the space to bring items from the Scott collection out of storage for the benefit of space enthusiasts, history buffs and budding astronauts of all ages,” explained Dr. Shawn Cruzen, executive director of the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. “These images detail the history of American space travel—and each is a work of art. What better place to display them than at the Bo Bartlett Center, one of our university’s and region’s most renowned art galleries.”

Through David’s brother, Tom, who has professional ties to Columbus, the Scotts have loaned and donated items to the Coca-Cola Space Science Center since 2011, making it home to one of the most extensive collections of space artifacts in the Southeast. Their most recent donation, in February 2024, added artifacts flown on the Gemini and Apollo missions to the center’s collection, which now includes more than 300 NASA items documenting these and the Space Shuttle programs.

Due to the rarity of many items in the Scott collection, some have been appraised at $25,000 or more. Among the collection's most distinctive artifacts are images of moon rocks, lunar surface photos, contractors’ models of NASA spacecraft, and other items that have traveled with Scott and other astronauts in space.

After serving on Gemini VIII (1966) and Apollo 9 (1969) and commanding the Apollo 15 (1971) mission, Scott became the director of NASA’s Armstrong (then Dryden) Flight Center. Now 92, Scott is one of only 12 humans to have walked on the moon to date. During his aerospace career, he logged a total of 546 hours and 54 minutes in space, including 20 hours and 46 minutes in extravehicular activity. In 2024, Scott was promoted to the rank of brigadier general for his meritorious service to the United States.

“American Legend” and other Bo Bartlett Center exhibitions are open to the public for free from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Tuesday through Saturday. For group tours, contact Gallery Coordinator Julie Umberger at (706) 507-8432 or [email protected].