Worcester Plans Events To Mark Century Since Goddard’s First Rocket Launch

A Worcester-area centennial celebration is marking 100 years since Robert Goddard's first successful liquid-fueled rocket launch on March 16, 1926. Events to commemorate the anniversary will span multiple venues, including Goddard's Auburn farm site and the Goddard House in Worcester.

According to a Clark University news release, Goddard conducted the first liquid fuel rocket launch on March 16, 1926, in a field on his aunt's farm in nearby Auburn. In his diary, he noted, “It looked almost magical as it rose, without any appreciably greater noise or flame, as if it said, ‘I've been here long enough; I think I'll be going somewhere else if you don't mind.'”

Key events held in connection with the commemoration include the Worcester Museum exhibit “Worcester to the Stars” opening on March 16 and running through Aug. 1. This exhibit will include items and images from Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), NASA, the Roswell Museum and Art Center, the David Clark Company (the Worcester-based creator of the spacesuit), and others. 

Both WPI and Clark University will participate in the commemorations. 

Goddard earned his master's and doctoral degrees at Clark in 1910 and 1911, respectively. He began his Clark teaching career as an instructor in 1914, was appointed a professor in 1920, and served as the department's director from 1923 to 1926. He held that position until he left the Clark faculty in 1943. The Clark campus is home to the only permanent national monument to Robert Goddard, which was established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1965.

Community organizations, including the EcoTarium, the Museum of Worcester, and the Hanover Theatre, are coordinating special anniversary events. The commemorations will also honor the work of Esther Goddard, Robert's wife, whose efforts preserved Robert Goddard's papers. She donated batches of the papers to Clark University during the 1960s and 1970s. 

Additionally, according to Auburn Fire Chief Stephen Coleman, a celebration will be held at Pakachoag Golf Course — the site of the 1926 launch — on March 16. The goal is to launch 100 rockets throughout the day, with a replica of Goddard's original rocket launched in the afternoon.