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From the 60's to today, Weir's planetarium has a storied past.

What lies beyond Earth in the universe and outer space is one of life’s biggest wonders, and scientists have spent thousands of years studying it through the field of astronomy.

The American Museum of Natural History describes astronomy as the study of everything in the universe beyond Earth’s atmosphere. That includes objects we can see with our naked eyes, like the Sun, the Moon, the planets, and the stars. It also includes objects we can only see with telescopes or other instruments, like faraway galaxies and tiny particles.

Schools have used many methods to instruct their students about astronomy such as videos, worksheets, and documentaries. Weir offers an entire course on astronomy, taught by Michelle Turner, but nothing quite compares to the Planetarium.

Oxford and Merriam-Webster dicttionaries defines a planetarium as a building or “theater” in which an optical device projects various celestial images of stars, planets, and constellations on the inner surface of a dome for public entertainments or education.

Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh has its Buhl Planetarium, but I if you did not know, Weir High has its own Planetarium! It opened in the fall of 1963, but unfortunately 2011 was the last year that it was operating.

Principal Kristen Bissett stated, “The Planetarium has traditionally been used for Astronomy class, but sometimes other classes have
used it when doing space based content. It used to be used to be used for elementary school field trips when it was still functioning.”

But before 1963, Weir High School had a different campus located in downtown Weirton.

The school first opened in the fall of 1917 and was named Butler District High School. The school was then named after Ernest T. Weir and David M. Weir because they were the founders of Weirton.

Bissett stated, “The Planetarium no longer functions as it should. Many of the features of the computer system and lighting are no longer in working order.”

Roughly ten years ago, the school even thought about fixing the planetarium. Bissett also stated, “About ten years ago, the school looked into getting it fixed, and the cost (if they could even find the parts) was tens of thousands of dollars and well out of our budget to get repaired.”

With that being said, the planetarium was very helpful in the education and entertainment of many children. From classroom fun to elementary school field trips, the planetarium now rests as a memory of Weir High School.