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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2011
Museum of History & Industry PR
media@mohai.org
206 324 1126 Ext. 150

Grand opening Date Announced for New MOHAI at Lake Union Park

November 17, 2011

SEATTLE–Today, the museum announced that the public grand opening date for the new MOHAI at Lake Union Park will be Saturday, November 17, 2012. To celebrate, MOHAI will welcome the community into its new home by offering free admission during opening weekend, allowing visitors to explore the museum’s brand new exhibits, attend exciting public programs, and enjoy other festive activities.

Since February 15, 1952, the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) has occupied its Montlake neighborhood facility in McCurdy Park. Precipitated by the demolition of the current museum for the widening of SR 520, the museum will close its Montlake location on June 7, 2012 in preparation for its move into the Naval Reserve Building (Armory) at Lake Union Park.

Capital campaign co-chair Glen Milliman stated that “MOHAI will be more accessible to the community and visitors in its new location. At the heart of our excitement is the opportunity to transform and re-imagine the idea of a history museum, to create a dynamic institution that fosters dialogue, civic literacy, and innovative thinking.”

“This is an incredibly exciting time at MOHAI as we continue our preparations for the largest move in the museum’s history,” added Executive Director Leonard Garfield. “We’re delighted to present our exhibitions and education programming around Seattle during the renovation, and look forward to returning on November 17, 2012 in our new home at Lake Union Park.”

The 50,000-square-foot Armory building at Lake Union Park will expand the museum’s exhibition space by almost 10,000-square feet of exhibition space. The new MOHAI will feature thousands of artifacts and images related to the history of the region as well as galleries for national traveling exhibits and a waterfront cafe for museum and park visitors. At its new location, the museum is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors a year (making it the most highly attended history museum in Washington state), including almost 20,000 students and their teachers. One significant benefit will be to provide free admission to all youths 14 years and younger.

At the new museum, MOHAI will continue to host free admission days, offer its award-winning education programs and provide community meeting spaces, and other public amenities, some of which are available to park users independent of museum admission. Thus far, foundations, corporations, government organizations and individuals have generously given more than $32 million to MOHAI’s capital campaign, bringing the museum to just over 80% of the $40 million goal.

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