The Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum

The Museum is a Progression of Transportation from the first bicycles, the Wright Brothers’ Bicycle Shop, and the Wright Flyer, exploring Monroe County’s rich aviation history, and into outer space with Mercury 7, Astronaut Donald Kent “Deke” Slayton

The museum in part is a memorial to Donald “Deke” Slayton – an astronaut and NASA administrator who grew up on a farm outside of Sparta, WI. There are numerous artifacts on display including several of Deke’s personal items such as, his Mercury Spacesuit and even a Moon Rock!

The museum also recognizes that Sparta is the Bicycle Capital of America. There are over 200 Bicycle exhibits, from the very lst bicycle to modern day bicycles, including some driven by famous people. Exhibits trace the evolution of the bicycle throughout American history.