HUTCHINSON, Kan. — She started it as a planetarium with a rattlesnake and a moon rock on display in its early days. Now the Cosmosphere is one of the premier space and science museums in the world. Patty Carey would have turned 100 years old on Wednesday.&nbsp;

In 1962, fueled by her lifelong interest in science, Patty Brooks Carey established Kansas’ first planetarium located in a poultry building on the grounds of the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. It was a humble beginning that has blossomed into an internationally recognized, Smithsonian-affiliated institution known as the Cosmosphere.&nbsp;

In a release, the Cosmosphere stated that we owe it all to the vision, determination and grace of one incredible woman. Although Patty died in 2003, her dream continues thanks to others who are as passionate as she was about science education and sharing the wonder of space.&nbsp;

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<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623273450033.jpeg" alt="Patty Carey poses at the door of the planetarium that was originally at the Kansas State Fair." />
 <figcaption>Patty Carey poses at the door of the planetarium that was originally at the Kansas State Fair.</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — She started it as a planetarium with a rattlesnake and a moon rock on display in its early days. Now the Cosmosphere is one of the premier space and science museums in the world. Patty Carey would have turned 100 years old on Wednesday.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583784421934.jpeg" alt="Today, Patty Carey's love and vision has evolved into the Cosmosphere that is now one of the great museums telling the history of space flight." />
 <figcaption>Today, Patty Carey's love and vision has evolved into the Cosmosphere that is now one of the great museums telling the history of space flight.</figcaption>
 </figure>In 1962, fueled by her lifelong interest in science, Patty Brooks Carey established Kansas’ first planetarium located in a poultry building on the grounds of the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. It was a humble beginning that has blossomed into an internationally recognized, Smithsonian-affiliated institution known as the Cosmosphere.&nbsp;In a release, the Cosmosphere stated that we owe it all to the vision, determination and grace of one incredible woman. Although Patty died in 2003, her dream continues thanks to others who are as passionate as she was about science education and sharing the wonder of space.&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Patty Carey would have been 100 Wednesday