virgil i. gus grissom memorial museum

While not a large museum, this one is packed with history and items associated with Gus Grissom, includign many many items from early days in nearby Mitchell where he grew up. Am a big fan of the space program and vividly remember the original seven Mercury astronauts, but learned several new things at this museum. The "Molly Brown", first Gemini spaceship which was piloted by Gus, is on display. Don't miss the video in the small theater. So very glad we saw this - a wonderful tribute to and true hero.

Such a tragic ending to the life of a courageous space pioneer! Excellent information and just goes to show that determination and drive can make dreams come true.

This museum has a space capsule, one of 'Gus's' report cards, a lot of memorabilia and a nice movie of the early space program.

Kids and adults alive will love this memorial to Gus Grissom. His capsule is something so see and actually try to visualize being in it.

I walked into this museum not knowing anything about Gus Grissom. This small museum is packed full of memorabilia and facts about Gus, his life as an astronaut, and about the space program in general. It was very neat and the kids (aged 6-11) loved it.

This museum is located at the entrance to Spring Mill State Park, but you don't need to pay park admission to enter. Admission to the museum is free but donations are accepted. This museum is located here because Gus Grisson grew up in nearby Mitchell, IN and the community is obviously quite proud of their hometown hero. Gus Grissom is an early space pioneer, and became America's second man in space in 1961 aboard the Liberty Bell 7. He also went to space in 1965 on the Gemini III. In January, 1967 he was killed during a launch pad fire during testing for the Apollo I mission. Most of this happened before I was born, so it was interesting to read about the history, and learn more about Grissom as a person. The museum is small but well done, and is a nice mixture of personal and space memorabilia. It is self-guided so you can move through at your own pace.

One of the Pioneers of space travel. Has several exhibits, and a theater for enjoying a short video on his life.

If you enjoy space travel, this is a must see. The memorial is just yards away from the park gate, so my husband and I passed it up and had to turn back.A wonderful museum complete with everything from Gus's grade school report cards to the actual Gemini 3 that Gus Grissom and John Young manned. The video covers the beginning of the space race with Russia and Gus Grissom's place in it.It also struck a powerful realization of the many risks these early astronauts took every time they performed a mission, or as in the case of Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, a pre-flight test.

This museum can go unnoticed as my teenage daughter drove right by it and didn't realize it was in the boundaries of a state park. He grew up in Mitchell Indiana and they have the Gemini III inside that was recovered from the water in 1999. His space suit can be seen as well as medals, childhood report cards and many pieces of his life, put together in a free museum that takes donations if you desire to leave one. Since this is not affiliated with the park, but inside its boundaries it appears to be deserving of its own review . take the time to enjoy it, it can take as long as you wish depending how much of the information you choose to read and explore. there is also a gift shop inside where you can buy some space souvenirs.