Weatherford, OK : March 29, 2006
On March 29, Astronaut Tom Stafford was on hand at the Stafford Air and Space Center in Weatherford, OK, to receive an art furniture bench designed and donated to the Center by renowned interior designer and Weatherford native Kelly Gale Amen. Amen graduated from the University of Oklahoma and has resided in Houston since 1972.
Amen donated the bench in honor of General Stafford. The Tom Stafford Air and Space Center hopes others will find the art furniture bench as a way to honor individuals. Currently, there are up to 12 of the benches to distribute throughout the Center.
General Tom Stafford’s distinguished military career included 16 years as a record-setting and pioneering astronaut. The General Thomas P. Stafford Center is located at the airport in Weatherford. The Center houses a collection of model military aircraft, NASA photographs and six military aircraft including an F-86, MIG 21, T-33 and T-38. An F-16 Fighting Falcon is also on display complete with Sidewinder Missiles. Other interesting items collected and donated by Gen. Stafford can be seen throughout the Center.
The donated bench is part of a 26-piece collection of Functional Art Furniture designed by Amen. Each art furniture bench is numbered and signed. The donated art furniture bench is #9 in the series and is part of what Amen describes as “1000 year furniture,” due to its durability. For more information about the Tom Stafford Air and Space Center, visit www.WeatherfordChamber.com.
If you would like to honor an individual at the Tom Stafford Air and Space Center, contact the Center office at 580-772-5871.
