KGA Memorial Benches Dedicated at
Stafford Air & Space Museum

Two new Stafford art benches were recently dedicated as permanent fixtures of the Stafford Air & Space Museum.

Leon and Emily Lacy of Blanchard, Oklahoma and formerly of Weatherford donated a bench “In Honor and Memory of Arlie and Pauline Hamburger.”

Weatherford residents George and Donita Bryan donated a bench “In Loving Memory of Dennie E. Mounts and Linda K. Bryan.”

According to Stafford Air & Space Museum Director Chuck Dougherty, “The Stafford Public Bench Program is a unique opportunity to honor someone special while donating to the Stafford Air & Space Museum. These contributions will be used to improve the museum’s educational programs and interactive exhibits.”

Award-winning Houston designer Kelly Amen, formerly of Weatherford, donated his special Stafford Benches to be purchased by donors. Each limited edition and serial-numbered bench is identified with a commemorative inscription and displayed at the Stafford Air & Space Museum. The Bryan and Lacy benches are part of a limited collection that will eventually include twenty pieces.

Amen, a native of Weatherford and a University of Oklahoma graduate, is a well-known designer in Houston, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Oklahoma City, as well as Paris, France. His work has been featured in all media, from HGTV to nationally distributed books and magazines. One of his latest projects will feature his “1898 Weatherford, Oklahoma” bench to be permanently displayed in the first floor, West Wing, of the Oklahoma State Capitol building as a permanent part of the Oklahoma Arts Council’s new Permanent State Art Collection gallery. This project honors the homesteading families of May and Caesar Folks and Emma and Casper Amen, and will be presented as a gift from the City of Weatherford as a part of the Oklahoma Centennial Celebration.

The Stafford Air & Space Museum is named in honor of Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford, who was born and raised in Weatherford, Oklahoma and graduated with honors from the United States Naval Academy. He piloted Gemini VI, and commanded Gemini IX, Apollo 10, and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Mission. Stafford was the eighth recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

The Stafford Air & Space Museum boasts one of the few Titan II rockets displayed full scale. Also on display is the flight pressure suit General Stafford wore on Apollo 10, a mission that included the first flight of the lunar module near the moon. There are displays featuring numerous space-flown artifacts as well as several full-size aircraft, including a Russian MiG21R. Full-size replicas on display include the Wright Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis, Apollo Command Module, and Gemini space craft.