Herb during the planetarium's early years.

Originally constructed in 1969 as part of the technologically advanced Plaza Junior High School, Virginia Beach City Public Schools Planetarium has served as the school system’s source for astronomical enrichment for 38 years. Hundreds of thousands of students and adults have passed through its doors during that time, each marveling at the night sky as projected by the Spitz 512 star projector that towers above the center of the Planetarium.

Construction costs were funded partially with the National Defense Education Act at a time when the Apollo Space Program dominated the public’s attention.  The Planetarium opened on September 5, 1969, just a month and a half after the first men walked on the moon. Herb Teuscher directed the Planetarium’s activities from 1969 until his retirement in June of 2001.

		Herb Teuscher receives a lifetime membership to the Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA), along with a plaque, after giving his last public show in June 2001.  He is seen here with (from left to right) BBAA Vice President Dale Carey, new Planetarium Coordinator Chuck Dibbs, Herb, and BBAA President Ted Forte. (Photo credit: Sandy Brenner)