Science Center Misses Second Deadline to Reassemble Historic Zeiss Projector Despite $1 Million Planetarium Rehab in 2006

Pittsburgh, Mar. 27 – Despite promises to the City of Pittsburgh and assurances by Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh President David Hillenbrand, The Carnegie Science Center has failed to meet two deadlines to reassemble the historic Zeiss II Planetarium Projector, the oldest operable major planetarium projector in the world, which operated from 1939 to 1994 at Pittsburgh’s original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science in Allegheny Center. At the same time, the Science Center planetarium underwent a $1 million renovation, into what is now called the “Buhl Digital Dome,” but no money was used for restoration of the Zeiss Projector or two other historic artifacts: 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope and the large Mercator’s Projection Map of the World.

“It is now quite clear that The Carnegie Science Center has no interest in the historic Buhl Planetarium artifacts and has no intentions of reassembling them; they do not see display

of these artifacts as part of their mission. All of their ‘delays’ are simply meant to drag-out the process, hoping that people will forget these artifacts exist—the old adage:

‘out of sight, out of mind’ !” according to Friends of the Zeiss Project Director Glenn A. Walsh. Mr. Walsh said this in prepared statements to the Board of Directors of the

Allegheny Asset District (RAD) on March 26 and to Pittsburgh City Council on March 27. These artifacts are owned by the City of Pittsburgh and RAD funds all Carnegie Museums,

including the Science Center.

Mr. Walsh went on to say, “The Zeiss Projector, Siderostat Telescope, and Mercator’s Map belong in a location where they can actually be used to teach Science to children.

This cannot and will not happen at The Carnegie Science Center. It can only happen in the original Buhl Planetarium building, now being used by the Children’s Museum.

“I ask that you direct that these three City-owned artifacts be returned to the City-owned Buhl Planetarium building, to be used to teach Science to children visiting
the Children's Museum. Otherwise, they will languish in warehouse storage indefinitely, collecting dust and educating no one.”

--30 –

NEWS: Planetarium, Astronomy, Space, Science:

< http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#news >

To read the complete public statements –

Board of Directors, Allegheny Regional Asset District – 2007 March 26 –

Prepared Text:

< http://www.venustransit.pghfree.net/fotz/statements/ST-RAD-CSCZeiss.htm >

Large-Print Version:

< http://www.venustransit.pghfree.net/fotz/statements/ST-RAD-CSCZeissLP.htm >

PittsburghCity Council – 2007 March 27 –

Prepared Text:

< http://www.venustransit.pghfree.net/fotz/statements/ST-PCC-CSCZeiss.htm >

Large-Print Version:

< http://www.venustransit.pghfree.net/fotz/statements/ST-PCC-CSCZeissLP.htm >

gaw

Glenn A. Walsh

Electronic Mail - < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >

NEWS - Astronomy, Space, Science:

< http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#news >

Author of History Web Sites on the Internet --

* Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh:

  < http://www.planetarium.cc >

* Adler Planetarium, Chicago:

  < http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com >

* Astronomer & Optician John A. Brashear:

  < http://johnbrashear.tripod.com >

* Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries:

  < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc >

* Duquesne Incline cable-car railway, Pittsburgh:

  < http://www.incline.cc >