Kennedy Donates Flag Collection

Announcement by Lee Kennedy

I am pleased to announce that the Kirkpatrick Science and Air Space Museum in Oklahoma City will receive my flag collection.

The collection brings together approximately 300 flags, mostly American; 150 books and research papers; and 50 sundry artifacts into a concise capsule of American history. The flags provides a comprehensive summary of the 250 year history and 1000 year genealogy with samples of all the major flags, many of which are period nineteenth century specimens. The books comprise the literary core of American flag history, while the artifacts add a different perspective.

Locally better known as Omniplex, the Kirkpatrick Science and Air Space Museum is Oklahoma's largest and best attended museum, featuring more than 350 hands-on science exhibits and a significant collection of historic aircraft and aviation and space memorabilia. As well, this 400,000 square foot museum is home to a large format domed theater, the state's only public access planetarium, the State of Oklahoma art collection, 10 acres of gardens and grounds, and a rich diversity of other exhibits and galleries.

Besides its permanent and scheduled exhibits, the Omniplex sponsors many educational classes and programs on science and history, and annually counts more than 130,000 school children from virtually every school system in the state as part of its 380,000 visitors.

This collection, one of very few in a public museum, will provide a unique addition of American history to the museum for students, teacher, visitors, and scholars.

Collecting flags is unique arcane is perhaps more descriptive and given the limited availability of period flags, book and artifacts, collecting is certainly a slow and patient process, so I am especially grateful that Omniplex will keep the collection intact in Oklahoma City, where my wife and I grew up.

Omniplex plans to open its first major exhibit of the flags on Memorial Day 2001, running through Independence Day. Please come join us.,p>