WILMINGTON — Cape Fear Museum will open its doors free of charge on Saturday, Sept. 23, as part of Smithsonian magazine’s 13th annual Museum Day Live!, an initiative in which participating museums across the United States emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington DC-based facilities by opening their doors for free to those who download a Museum Day Live! ticket.
“Smithsonian recognizes the extraordinary power of museums, and other cultural institutions, to provide visitors with insight and inspiration,” a press release states. “The event represents a nationwide commitment to boundless curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge wherever you are.”
Over 200,000 people downloaded tickets for last year’s event, and this year’s event is expected to attract more museum-goers than ever before, according to the release.
Director Sheryl Kingery Mays said the event gives the Cape Fear Museum a chance to engage with people who “who normally wouldn’t come to the museum.”
“Museum Day Live! is a great way for us to do just that,” Mays said.
Cape Fear Museum’s core exhibit, “Cape Fear Stories,” provides an overview of the region’s history, cultures and related science from prehistory through the end of the 20th century. This exhibition educates visitors through artifacts, hands-on activities, models, vignettes, and interpretive text.
Children and adults explore STEM concepts in “Space Place” and the ecosystems of the Cape Fear area through hands-on components in the “Michael Jordan Discovery Gallery.” Changing exhibits rotate offerings several times per year. Current exhibits include “Starring Cape Fear!,” showcasing the region’s film industry.
Museum Day Live! tickets are available for download at Smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the Museum Day Live! ticket will gain free entrance for two at participating venues on Sept. 23. One ticket per email address is permitted.
For information about Museum Day Live! 2017 and a full list of participating museums and cultural institutions, visit Smithsonian.com/museumday.
Cape Fear Museum of History and Science is a department of New Hanover County located at 814 Market St. The Museum is open Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. The Museum will close on Mondays beginning Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.
General admission is free to all museum members. For non-members, general admission is $8 for adults; $7 for seniors, students and military with valid ID; $5 for children 6-17; and free for children 5 and under.
New Hanover County residents’ free day is the first Sunday of each month. More information can be found at www.capefearmuseum.com.
Submitted by Amy Kilgore Mangus
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