Smithsonian Asks Star Trek Fans For Help To Restore USS Enterprise

The National Air and Space Museum is enlisting Trekkies for help in restoring the USS Enterprise ship to the way it looked in August 1967. Star Trek fans are asked to send firsthand, original images or film of the ship under construction, during filming or on public display at any time before 1976.

The USS Enterprise was donated by Paramount as a part of movie history to the Smithsonian in 1974 and is currently at the Emil Buehler Conservation Laboratory at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia

As part of a new upcoming exhibit on the “Milestones of Flight,” the Smithsonian would like to restore the model and display it at the museum’s Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall in late 2016.

According to the museum, the Enterprise model has undergone eight major modifications since it was built in 1964, both during and after production of the series.

“The current restoration will restore the ship to its August 1967 appearance, during and after the production of the episode “The Trouble with Tribbles,” which is the last time the Enterprise was altered throughout the original Star Trek,” stated Smithsonian’s Sept 8th press release. Sept. 8 also marked the 49th anniversary of the original Star Trek television series.

The museum is requesting all firsthand and relevant images or film of the Enterprise before 1976 be sent to StarshipEnterprise@si.edu.

The public can also watch for updates on the museum’s social channels and join in the conversation by using #MilestonesofFlight.