There's room to park our
motorhome at...
Former Mayor Bill was very
supportive of the effort.
Our host, Phil, works at the Post Office and volunteers here. He invited Eric and me for a tour of the History Center. This is an unscheduled meetup and it's just the three of us. We are complying with Iowa's Covid-19 Restrictions (Section 3, Subsection E).
Eric & I sign in.
In 1966 Americans started watching Star Trek, a groundbreaking television series. During that era, most TV shows featured white casts with a few minority characters in supporting roles.
The USS Enterprise's diverse crew included Engineer Montgomery Scott, Navigator Pavel Chekov (Russian), Doctor Leonard McCoy, Nurse Christine Chapel, Captain James T. Kirk, Communications Officer Nyota Uhuru (African American), Mr. Spock, Science Officer (Vulcan), and Helmsman Hiraku Sulu (Asian American).
,
Since Star Trek's premiere in 1966, the franchise has grown to eight TV series and thirteen films.
Dr. McCoy & Captain Kirk
The Captain's Chair is built by
students at Woodland High
School in 2019.
How did Riverside become the future birthplace of Star Trek's Captain James T. Kirk?
Captain Kirk was born in
rural Iowa.
A specific birthplace was not named. Former Town Councilman and self-described Trekkie, Steve Miller, brought the idea of proclaiming Riverside to be the future home of Star Trek's Captain to the Mayor and City Council. To honor its future famous son, Riverside could host an annual Star Trek Festival and bring in another much-needed income stream to the community. Miller's idea was accepted by Riverside's governing body. Only one hurdle remained, getting Gene Roddenberry's blessing to make this proposal a reality. He agreed and formalized Star Trek's relationship with the City.
Gene Roddenberry & Captain
Kirk commissioned Riverside
residents as Star Fleet Deck
Officers on May 20, 1985.
The first Star Trek Festival was held in 1984. It has grown throughout the years with as many as ten thousand visitors attending
Star Trek Fans walk in the
Trekfest parade in downtown
Riverside in 2014.
Klingons on parade in
Riverside in 2019.
The reflection of Phil on the right-hand side of the next photo. I am soaking in Museum displays so deeply that I don't think to ask if I can take a picture of our guide.
The USS Enterprise, with its
signature disk & nacelles,
has evolved as the franchise
grew through the years.
are also on display.
The red uniform is from Star
The uniform on the left is
from Star Trek: The Next
Harry Kim's uniform from
displayed on the right.
Since Nichelle Nichols portrayed
Lieutenant Uhuru, female
in the franchise.
provided the conflict
necessary to advance
necessary to advance
Gene Roddenberry's
storytelling.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
started its mission to explore
new worlds in 1987 with
in command.
He & the crew of the USS Enterprise
(NCC 1701-D) met the greedy,
The Ferengi join the cast of Deep Space 9. At this strategically located Space Station, the unscrupulous aliens have many opportunities to lie, cheat & steal to make a profit and create interstellar mayhem too.
This console was used by Lieutenant-Commander Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation and is a donation to the History Center by Fans.
Star Trek Fans persuaded
President Gerald Ford's
administration to name
Just some of...
... the many Star Trek
collectibles amassed
at the History Center.
*** Bill Shatner Factoid: He filmed Invasion Iowa here in Riverside.
The large silver piece in the picture is a Time Capsule/Art Piece by Galactic Artist Sean Christopher Paris.
Photos of the cast &
Riverside residents
*** Bill Shatner Factoid: He filmed Invasion Iowa here in Riverside.
Riverside became Billville
to honor the star of the
series, the cast & crew.
The large silver piece in the picture is a Time Capsule/Art Piece by Galactic Artist Sean Christopher Paris.
Photos of the cast &
Riverside residents
Eric & I browse at
the Gift Shop.
We bought bumper stickers
& Star Trek Postage Stamps.
As Eric and I start to say goodbye, Phil says, "But wait, there's more...."
I open the restroom door...
... & look into a Star Trek
themed bathroom.
It's amazing!
We thank Phil for the tour and promise to return to Riverside for Trekfest in a few years.
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