Author Archives: 'Remembering Columbia' Museum

HEMPHILL, TX – Students from the Sabine County 4-H Club received training on the LEGO® Education Spike™ Prime robotics kits widely used for middle and high school robotics competitions.On Saturday, November 15, 2025, the Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum ‘Remembering Columbia’ hosted an open workshop to introduce students to the world of competitions with anContinueContinue reading “‘Remembering Columbia’ Museum hosts robotics training workshop”

HEMPHILL, TX – The generosity of a host of supporters have ensured a successful 6th annual Galactic Gala supporting the ‘Remembering Columbia’ Museum in Hemphill. On Saturday, September 27, 2025, a packed Hemphill VFW hall enjoyed an evening of good food, music, and special guests to raise funds for the Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum.ContinueContinue reading “‘Remembering Columbia’ supporters ensure successful 6th annual gala”

HEMPHILL, TX – The Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum ‘Remembering Columbia’ is excited to announce its 6th annual Galactic Gala to be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025. Organized by Friends of the PHS NASA Museum, the black-tie event will celebrate the museum’s impact in the community and efforts to inspire young people to pursueContinueContinue reading “Annual Galactic Gala celebration to support Hemphill’s ‘Remembering Columbia’ Museum”

HEMPHILL, TX – While every artifact in the permanent collection of the Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum has a connection to Space Shuttle Columbia or its final crew, some loaned items carry special significance.On Saturday, July 19, 2025, the ‘Remembering Columbia’ Museum was honored to host Keith Husband, the brother of STS-107 commander Rick Husband.HeContinueContinue reading “Space Shuttle Columbia flag donated by STS-107 commander’s brother”

The Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum is proud to work with a team of professional staff and dedicated volunteers who support our mission to create science and technology-inspiring learning opportunities for children and adults.Dean Hamlin is one of our dedicated docents at the museum. He is a front-line representative for the museum, leading guided toursContinueContinue reading “Meet Our Staff: Dean Hamlin”

HEMPHILL, TX – The Toledo Bend Lake Association has awarded a grant to support the robotics program of the Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum in Hemphill. The grant will be used to purchase 10 new sets of LEGO® Education Spike™ Prime components to be used in the museum’s annual Columbia Memorial Robotics Competition. Various LEGO®ContinueContinue reading “Grant from Toledo Bend Lake Association funds critical upgrade for Columbia Memorial Robotics Competition”

HEMPHILL, TX – The Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum is pleased to announce Emma Williams and Braeden Jordan of Hemphill ISD and Elizabeth Smith of West Sabine ISD as the recipients of its 2025 ‘Remembering Columbia’ Memorial Scholarship. On Friday, May 2, members of the ‘Remembering Columbia’ Museum board and retired NASA international spaceflight trainingContinueContinue reading “Three recipients selected for 2025 ‘Remembering Columbia’ memorial scholarship”

HOUSTON, TX – NASA has awarded its Exceptional Public Service Medal to volunteers of the Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum ‘Remembering Columbia’ in Hemphill, Texas.On February 18, Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche awarded the agency’s Exceptional Public Service Medal to Belinda Gay, Marsha Cooper, and Dr. Estella Hernández Gillette. The agency’s Exceptional Public ServiceContinueContinue reading “NASA awards service medals to two ‘Remembering Columbia’ Museum board members”

HEMPHILL, TX – In early May, the Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum will host its third ‘Night At The Museum’ event of the year, this time featuring a retired NASA international spaceflight training manager.Debbie Ramos Trainor will deliver a keynote in the museum’s auditorium from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 2. The eventContinueContinue reading “Retired NASA international spaceflight training manager to speak at ‘Remembering Columbia’ Museum”

HEMPHILL, TX – Members of the board of directors of the Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum ‘Remembering Columbia’ wish to express their sincere condolences upon the passing of longtime Sabine County Sheriff Tom Maddox.He passed away Thursday, February 13, 2025 at the age of 75.Maddox had served as sheriff since 2001 and was a centralContinueContinue reading “Statement on passing of Sabine County Sheriff Tom Maddox”