Posted by Ray Katz in NASA, current, history
Old Project Mercury building remodeled
Old Mercury HQ remodeled by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Preservation Magazine (May/June 2010) reports on the re-modeling of the Gragg Building. Never heard of it? Neither had I.
Apparently, the Gragg Building is used by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. But, as much as I like parks (and recreation!), the former use of the building is more interesting.
The Gragg Building was the headquarters for Project Mercury. I located the picture (above) showing six of the original seven astronauts (with NASA official Bob Gilruth) behind the sign which used to be out front. (Or, maybe, that’s Glenn in the middle, not Gilruth…in which case, all seven would be there. Hard to tell in this picture.)
The building itself doesn’t look too exciting to me…but it is considered “world-class” architecture. The design was influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. I guess it has a kind of spartan charm. In any case, it’s nice to see a bit of history well taken care of.
A former NASA building with Frank Lloyd Wright influence - "The Wright Stuff"?!
