The Kent State University Museum celebrated the opening of "Ohioans in Space: The Carl E. Walz Spacesuit from the Kent State University Museum" with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on May 19, bringing together leaders from across the state's cultural, scientific and civic communities to honor Ohio's legacy in aviation and space exploration.
The special installation, which will remain on view through Nov. 3, features the spacesuit worn aboard the International Space Station by NASA astronaut Carl E. Walz, a Kent State graduate who earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics in 1977. Designed to counteract the effects of prolonged weightlessness, the suit uses a system of elastic straps and tensioning mechanisms to simulate the physical load of gravity, helping astronauts maintain muscle and bone strength during long-duration missions. Walz wore it during his six-month stay on the space station from December 2001 to June 2002, part of a career that included four space missions and 231 days in space.
"I'm honored that my suit will be displayed at the Ohio Statehouse," Walz said. "I gave it to the Kent State University Museum to share the story of space exploration with students and future generations of explorers and innovators."
The installation in the Rotunda positions Walz's achievements within Ohio's broader history of flight and space exploration, from the Wright brothers to astronaut John Glenn. Accompanying wall panels contextualize his career, while images from the James Webb Space Telescope, on loan from COSI: Center of Science and Industry, offer visitors a visual connection between human exploration and the wider universe.
Sarah Spinner, Ph.D., J.D., director of the Kent State University Museum, emphasized the significance of bringing a museum collection into Ohio's Capitol building. "This installation reflects the power of garments to tell stories about our histories, our accomplishments and our shared aspirations," Spinner said. "The spacesuit honors one of our alumni's extraordinary contributions to space exploration and shows how museums can bring those stories to life, inspiring connection and discovery."
The ribbon-cutting event drew leadership from institutions across Ohio, including Charles R. Moses, chair of the Capitol Square Foundation; Rebecca Asmo, executive director of Ohio Humanities; Donna Collins, executive director of the Ohio Arts Council; Frederic Bertley, Ph.D., president and CEO of COSI; Capt. William F. Colleran, a pilot and Kent State alumnus; Donald Mason, mayor of Zanesville and vice chair of the Kent State Board of Trustees; and State Sen. Kristina Roegner, State Rep. Heidi Workman and State Rep. Bill Roemer.
"The Ohio Statehouse is where we share the stories that define our state," Moses said. "This installation highlights Ohio's long-standing contributions to aviation and space exploration and helps connect visitors to that legacy of achievement and discovery."
The collaboration reflects broader efforts to deepen the museum's impact across the state. Rebecca Asmo of Ohio Humanities noted the value of such institutional partnerships: "This is exactly the type of collaboration that brings the humanities to life. A fashion museum partnering with a science museum shows how Ohio institutions can work together to connect people to our shared history of exploration and the experiences that shape our state."
The Kent State University Museum, which houses one of the world's most important collections of fashion, textiles and decorative arts spanning the mid-1700s to the present, was reaccredited in November 2025 by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition a museum can receive. With more than 30,000 objects and seven gallery spaces, the museum serves students, scholars and the broader public through exhibitions, research and object-based learning.
The installation and reception at the Statehouse were generously sponsored by Leslie Royce Resnik on behalf of the John P. Murphy Foundation.
For more information about the Kent State University Museum, visit www.kent.edu
