Who said the United States’ 250th anniversary was the only birthday in town? 2026 is also the centennial year of a historic rocket launch that changed the way we understand space travel.
On March 16, 1926 in Auburn, Massachusetts, scientist Robert Goddard set off the first liquid fueled rocket. At the time, Goddard was ridiculed and dismissed, but over the course of the last century, he became known as the father of modern rocketry. His name is found on NASA buildings, academic centers, postage stamps, one of the first modern reusable rockets and even a crater on the moon.
Goddard had many local ties, so institutions throughout Worcester are marking the occasion with a variety of events for families, academics, music lovers, pyro-enthusiasts and astronomers in training.
100th Anniversary of the Goddard Rocket Launch
Worcester Public Library | Through Friday, March 27
For future space cadets of any age, the Worcester Public Library has plenty to offer. There are a dozen events this month in honor of the Goddard centennial from an astronaut ice cream taste test to a talk examining how space is represented in music. Young visitors can craft their own bottle rockets and cup rockets. Adults can make a rocket out of stained glass. All events are free. Most are open to walk-ins, and a few suggest registration.
Family Fun Festival
Town of Auburn | Saturday, March 14
Food trucks and artisan vendors will be on site for a family fun day at Goddard Park in Auburn. Starting at 10:30 AM, there will be a ceremony to rededicate the park in Goddard’s honor as well as a dedication of a new bridge. Kids events will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The Rocket Equation: Why Space Has Limits
Ecotarium | Saturday, March 14
Worcester Polytechnic Institute assistant professor of aerospace engineering Ye Lu presents a talk about the rocket equation, a scientific term that refers to how rockets change speed in relation to how they burn fuel. The forty minute presentation will explore the limits of modern technology and what leading research means for its future. The event costs $6 for members, $7 for non-members and is open to all ages but recommended for ages 15 and up.
Ecotarium’s Goddard Rocket Centennial Celebration
Ecotarium | Sunday, March 15
From a planetarium movie with Sesame Street’s Big Bird to all-day stomp rockets, Worcester’s Ecotarium has enough events to tucker out any kid. The celebration runs from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with a model rocket launch at 12:30 p.m. Admission costs $24 for adults, $18 for children ages 2 and up with planetarium shows requiring a separate ticket not included with admission.
Dr. Robert Goddard Centennial Celebration
Town of Auburn | Monday, March 16
The official celebration of the Robert Goddard Centennial will take place at the Pakachoag Golf Course in Auburn, the site of the March 16, 1926 rocket launch. Like the event at Goddard Park in Auburn, this event will also feature food trucks and artisan vendors. Additionally, it will have Goddard reenactors, artifacts from the Historical Society, a NASA astronaut as well as a rocket launch at 2:30 p.m. The event runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Worcester to the Stars: The Goddard Rocket Centennial
Museum of Worcester | Monday, March 16-Saturday, August 1
The Museum of Worcester is home to the official exhibition of the centennial celebration. Visitors can take an up-close look at items at Goddard’s very own 1929 rocket frame, similar to the one he used during the 1926 launch as well as a replica of his first rocket design, a rocket nose cone, rocket engine and Goddard’s briefcase. This collection features objects on loan from NASA, Smithsonian Institute, Library of Congress, Roswell Museum, WPI, Clark University and private collections. This exhibition marks the first time these artifacts have been on display together.
Robert Goddard Centennial Series
Clark University | Tuesday, March 17 & Thursday, March 19
Clark alumnus and former NASA project manager John Edmund will talk on March 17 about the trials Goddard faced: the skepticism and criticism from his contemporaries. On March 19 Kevin Schindler, author of Robert Goddard’s Massachusetts will review historical images, contemporary accounts of the 1926 rocket launch and the contributions of Robert Goddard’s wife Esther. Both talks will be free, open to the public and available to stream via Zoom.
Tours of the Robert and Esther Goddard House
Robert and Esther Goddard Center for Innovation | Tuesday, March 17-Saturday, March 21…