Stanley Marketplace is so abuzz with activity, it can be easy to forget that this remarkable space has an even more remarkable history.
A new exhibit, “Building on Stanley’s Foundation,” seeks to engage visitors with this history. A collaboration between Stanley Marketplace, the Aurora History Museum, and Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, the exhibit explores the Stanley Marketplace’s history as an aviation hub where lifesaving technology was developed for pilots.
Bob Stanley founded Stanley Aviation in 1948 after many years as an engineer and test pilot. He moved his company to Aurora in 1954 and, in what is now Stanley Marketplace, Stanley and his team designed innovative escape systems, or ejection seats as we know them, for a variety of different planes. The exhibit will feature historical photos and two ejection seats that were originally built at Stanley.
The Aurora History Museum and Wings Over the Rockies partnered with Stanley Marketplace to make this impressive aviation exhibit a reality. It’s an exploration of history on site, right where the history happened. The exhibit is a destination in itself, and with the many other ways to enjoy Stanley Marketplace during your visit, it’s a must-see.
A Month of February Fun at Stanley Marketplace
It’s a special month at Stanley Marketplace. Well, it’s always a special time. But in February, we get to celebrate love in so many ways. The Lunar New Year is upon us, it’s Black History Month, and Valentine’s Day is this week.
After you’ve experienced the Aurora History Museum & Wings Over the Rockies exhibit, check out these other happenings to celebrate February in your way:
- Live music weekends. Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., local cellist Jae Wes will perform a dynamic set in recognition of Black History Month.
- Outer space virtual reality experience. Through May 5, Stanley will be home to a virtual reality experience that allows you to spacewalk and experience the lives of NASA astronauts.
- Celebrating love at Stanley. There are many ways to celebrate Valentine’s day: grab tickets to the Beer and Cheese Raclette Dinner at Cheluna Brewing on February 14 at 6:30 p.m. Also on Valentine’s Day, enjoy a Valentine’s Day Sing-along with Bill Roberts’ kindergarten choir at 1 p.m. For a little self-love, enjoy complementary refreshments and discounted services at Clementine’s Salon & Skincare Client Appreciation Party on February 12 from 4-6 p.m. As an added bonus, you can get all of your Valentine’s Day shopping done at Stanley, with something special for every type of valentine in your life.
This is just a sample of all the February fun happening at Stanley Marketplace. Check out the events calendar for more ways to complement your visit to the Aurora History Museum & Wings Over the Rockies Exhibit at Stanley Marketplace!