History
THOMAS P. STAFFORD
September 17, 1930 — March 18, 2024
Born in Weatherford, Oklahoma, to Thomas and Mary Patten Stafford—his mother arrived in Oklahoma by covered wagon and lived to see him fly to the moon. A Naval Academy graduate and legendary Air Force test pilot, Stafford became a member of NASA’s second group of astronauts, flying in the historic space missions: Gemini 6A, Gemini 9, Apollo 10, and Apollo-Soyuz. He is also considered the father of the B-2 and F-117 stealth aircraft. General Stafford is a Congressional Space Medal of Honor recipient and 200+ prestigious awards.
SHOOTING STAR PARK
Over seven acres of premier STEM adventure— featuring exploratory gardens and playgrounds designed to spark curiosity and inspire adventurers of all ages!
EVENT SPACE RENTALS
Looking for a unique and inspiring venue for your next event?
Our event spaces offer exceptional settings that are perfect for any occasion: Workshops, Classes, Meetings, Seminars, Celebrations, Business, Community & Private Events BOOK TODAY!
To learn more or to reserve the Explorers Room or Event Center for your next event, please contact us at 580-772-5871 or email reservations@staffordmuseum.org
Our team is here to help you plan a successful and unforgettable event.
ONE OF OKLAHOMA’S MUST SEE ATTRACTIONS!
DISCOVER THE JOURNEY FROM EARLY AVIATION TO THE NEXT ERA OF SPACE EXPLORATION
The Stafford Air and Space Museum is named in honor of legendary test pilot and astronaut Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford. Located in his hometown of Weatherford, Oklahoma, the museum features one of the premier aerospace collections in the United States. It highlights Stafford’s distinguished career and the many pioneers who advanced aviation and space technology, educating visitors on America’s rich aerospace history.
One of only three Smithsonian Affiliates in Oklahoma (designated in 2011), the museum houses thousands of artifacts tracing the evolution of flight and space exploration. Highlights include a ten-story Titan II rocket, the actual flown Gemini 6 spacecraft, actual space suits including Stafford’s Apollo 10 pressure suit, a full-scale Apollo Command and Service Module replica, a two-and-a-half-story Lunar Module replica, and the actual flown Skylab 4 command module.
The extensive aircraft collection features a Lockheed F-117A Stealth Fighter, A-10, F-16, F-15, MiG-21, F-4, F-86, T-33, T-38, and F-104, along with detailed replicas of the Wright Glider and Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis, and Blériot aircraft. The museum also displays one of the largest rocket engine collections, including an F-1 engine from a Saturn V and a Russian NK-33—making it the only place in the world where both are exhibited together.
Visitors can also see an Orion Capsule Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) test article and a large International Space Station model with live feed and interactive displays. Outside, the iconic Lockheed F-104 “Starfighter” rises six stories into the sky, serving as a landmark for the region.
The museum has worked closely with the Smithsonian Institution, NASA, and the National Museum of the U.S. Airforce to assemble one of the finest collections of aerospace artifacts in the United States.
“You can tell the world we have arrived.”
—Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo 10 Commander
