Our History

We at the U.S. Space Walk of Fame Foundation work to preserve the history of the U.S. Space Program through its Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and future Shuttle monuments located in Titusville’s Space View Park and the Space Walk of Fame Museum. As a non-profit organization, we have made sure that the museum stays free to the public and welcome you to come visit and see the wonderous, rich history that helps form the modern day U.S. Space program. But first, here is a little of our own history…

The U. S. Space Walk of Fame was conceived in 1988 by local Titusville physician Dr. Doyle E. Chastain when he wrote a letter to the Titusville City Council suggesting such a project. With a downtown redevelopment program in progress and a desire to further enhance the area by taking advantage of the river front such a suggestion was welcomed by city council and the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency. Thus a seed was planted and ideas began to flow which resulted in the creation of a non-profit organization known as “The U. S. Space Walk of Fame Foundation”. A few civic minded individuals and space pioneers stepped forward as volunteers to take command of The U. S. Space Walk of Fame Foundation and a partnership was born between the Foundation and the City of Titusville, Florida. Through grants and other sources not considered normal revenue the city would provide the park infrastructure and the Foundation, in turn, would provide the monuments, plaques, mission logo markers and other space related items to carry out the river walk’s space theme.

In July 1994, the city completed and dedicated a new river front park named Space View Park which provides the anchor point for the U. S. Space Walk of Fame. Within Space View Park lies the Mercury Monument and mission plaques with bronze hand prints of six of the original seven astronauts. The Mercury Monument was dedicated on May 12, 1995 and the Mercury Mission Logos were unveiled and commemorated on May 23, 1997. Ground breaking for the Gemini Monument and the first Gemini Reunion was held on July 19, 1996. The  Gemini Monument was completed and dedicated on November 7, 1997. Ground breaking for the Apollo Monument was held on July 16, 1999 at precisely 9:32 AM which was exactly 30 years after the “Lift Off” of Apollo 11. The ground breaking kicked off a week long 30th year celebration of the launch of Apollo 11 and the first moon landing. While honoring and recognizing all of Americas space programs and heroes, the Foundation agrees with astronaut Alan Shepard when on May 13, 1996 he stated, “We need to remember the people who made it possible, so little is said of them”. At the U. S. Space Walk of Fame, it is the Foundation’s intent to honor and place emphasis on the American Space Worker without whom no footprints would exist on the moon.

So, with that being said. Why don’t you come on down and see for yourself what we have to offer?