# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Metamorphosis of a War Criminal; Walter Dornberger, Bell’s Rocket Genius
- **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 26 Feb, 2026 at 07:00 pm
- **Event Description**: The Historical Association of Lewiston is pleased to present Douglas DeCroix for our February program: “Metamorphosis of a War Criminal; Walter Dornberger, Bell’s Rocket Genius”.  This presentation will be at 7:00 PM Thursday, February 26 at the Lutheran Church of the Messiah Fellowship Hall, 915 Oneida Street Lewiston.

Without warning, on September 8, 1944, a massive explosion rocked Stavely Road in the London suburb of Chiswick. Three civilians were killed, and 19 were injured in what later turned out to be the first strike on London by Hitler’s ultimate weapon, the V-2 rocket. On May 5, 1945, a group of Nazi officers surrendered to members of the U.S. 44th Infantry Division near the Austrian village of Schattwald. Among them were Wernher von Braun, who would go on to play a critical role in NASA’s manned space program, and Generalmajor Dr. Walter P. Dornberger, future vice president and chief scientist for Bell Aircraft Corporation in Niagara Falls.

Historian Douglas DeCroix will examine Dornberger’s role in the development of these Nazi terror weapons, as well as how he managed to land his lofty post with Bell Aircraft.  

A familiar presenter to HAL members, Doug DeCroix has served as Executive Director of Western New York Heritage, Inc., the nonprofit publisher of Western New York Heritage magazine, since 2009.  His contributions to regional and national history have included several nationally aired historical documentaries produced by WNED-TV and The History Channel, as well as numerous articles and thematic books published by Western New York Heritage. 

This community event is free and open to all, and donations are greatly appreciated to help support the Lewiston Museum. Refreshments will be served. Join us and learn more about this fascinating Bell Aircraft local history.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/lewiston/metamorphosis-of-a-war-criminal;-walter-dornberger-bell’s-rocket-genius/200029657014640
- **Event Categories**: nonprofit
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 15

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: http://facebook.com/200029657014640?utm_source=AllEvents.in&utm_medium=event-discovery-platform&utm_campaign=lewiston-events

## Event venue details

- **city**: Lewiston
- **state**: NY
- **country**: United States
- **location**: Lutheran Church of the Messiah
- **lat**: 43.174701690674
- **long**: -79.03002166748
- **full address**: Lutheran Church of the Messiah, 915 Oneida St,Lewiston, New York, United States

## Event Organizer details

- **affiliate_id**: 2
- **organizer**: Historical Association of Lewiston and Museum (https://allevents.in/org/historical-association-of-lewiston-and-museum/13799167)

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: banner
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/add6d074f7c111bb91caaeb9814353e837ab3ab4e4fd1fa19a2c5519eb7ba1be-rimg-w800-h568-dc787878-gmir?v=1771625364
- **Alt text**: thumbnail
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/144f5a9eb63b8b8bf26a7abe2f0024370cf72b27fe9852f8ba5545345131d320-rimg-w300-h300-dc7a7a7a-gmir?v=1771625365

## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Thu, 26 Feb, 2026 at 07:00 pm
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** Lutheran Church of the Messiah, 915 Oneida St,Lewiston, New York, United States
- **Q**: Who is organizing the event?
  - **A:** Historical Association of Lewiston and Museum
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** nonprofit
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about Metamorphosis of a War Criminal; Walter Dornberger, Bell’s Rocket Genius ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

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