Cape May in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Space Shuttle Tree
On April 4, 1997, the Space Shuttle Columbia was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The 4 day mission orbited the earth 63 times, traveling a total of 1.5 million miles.
Astronaut Gregory Linteris, a New Jersey native, took Eastern White Pine seeds with him on that flight. NASA gave those seeds to the New Jersey Forestry Service which grew only 35 trees. The seeds germinated in only seven days, about half the normal germination time. They were dedicated to the memory of the seven crewmembers that perished in the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003. It is called a "Space Shuttle Tree."
By placing the tree on the grounds of the Colonial House Museum, Cape May positions the very old and the very new in a very visible location.
Erected 2012 by The Cape May Shade Tree Commission to the Greater Cape May Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical date for this entry is April 4, 1997.
Location. 38° 56.081′ N, 74° 55.243′ W. Marker is in Cape May, New Jersey, in Cape May County. It is on Washington Street just
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on New Jersey’s Jersey Shore. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Cape May Meeting of the Joint Commission on Unity Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Fire Hydrant (within shouting distance of this marker); Civic & Education Center (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Franklin Street School (about 300 feet away); Historically Black Franklin Street School (about 300 feet away); Opra Huff's Bakery, 1950s (about 300 feet away); City of Cape May, New Jersey (about 400 feet away); a different marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 754 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 25, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
