Site where the statue of Christ McAuliffe will be displayed. Photo: Courtesy of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center
CONCORD, N.H. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A statue commemorating former Concord, N.H. schoolteacher and astronaut Christa McAuliffe will be unveiled to the public at the New Hampshire State House on Monday, Sept. 2.
The statue will honor McAuliffe’s life and legacy on what would have been her 76th birthday. She died 38 years ago on January 28, 1986, with six fellow crewmembers when the space shuttle Challenger disintegrated off the coast of Florida.
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center told WBZ NewsRadio that they have planned a whole weekend to honor her and her legacy.
“We’re calling it the weekend of inspiration,” said Melissa Edwards, the Director of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord.
“It will be the first female statue as well on the grounds so it’s very exciting!” she added.
Read More: McAuliffe Center Reopens At Framingham State After Major Renovation
In a statement, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu emphasized the importance of this moment.
“To see a hero like Christa McAuliffe memorialized in this way will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of students each time they visit the New Hampshire State House,” said Gov. Sununu.
Sculptor Benjamin Victor is the artist behind the statue. In a post on Instagram, he said he is "honored to be creating the sculpture."
"We are grateful to have such a renowned artist working with the Memorial Commission as we pay tribute to the enduring and formidable legacy of Christa McAuliffe," Gov. Sununu said in a statement back in December. "Victor is known throughout the artistic community for capturing the persona and character of the individuals his work pays tribute to. I have no doubt that, with the help of his vision, this Memorial will be a fitting tribute to Christa McAuliffe."
More details surrounding the weekend’s events, and the statue unveiling can be found on the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center’s website.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Brooke McCarthy (@BrookeWBZ) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok