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Press Releases
January 26, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact:
Haz M Saïd, marketing + communications Anne Klein Barney
Durango Discovery Museum Durango Area Tourism Office
(970) 422-2201 (970) 749-0991
haz@durangodiscovery.org anne@durango.org
The Durango Discovery Museum Opens at the Powerhouse
Interactive science and energy center to open October 2010
Durango, Colo.—Housed in the country’s oldest surviving coal-fired, steam-generated AC power plant, the Durango Discovery Museum is scheduled to open its doors on October 1, 2010. Over $2.5 million in fundraising is transforming the historic Powerhouse into a world-class interactive science and energy center in downtown Durango.
“Sparks will fly when we open the doors to the new Durango Discovery Museum. It’s a place dedicated to the amazing ways we generate power—not just with machines and technology, but with our own minds. People will be shocked. Literally,” says Haz Said, director of marketing and communications at the museum.
Phase I of the project’s development was completed in 2005 after a community effort raised $1.1 million to restore the historic site and establish the vision for an energy themed interactive science center. Renovation projects included: stucco removal to reveal original red brick structure, rehabilitation of the roof and light monitors, asbestos and radioactive materials remediation and pigeon interior biohazard cleanup. The Powerhouse is located at 1333 Camino Del Rio on the banks of the Animas River in downtown Durango.
Phase II of the museum’s development incorporates Durango Discovery Kids (currently operating upstairs at the Durango Arts Center) and adds thousands of square feet of space to accommodate hands-on science + energy exhibits for all ages, historic interpretation exhibits, Sudden Science™: science clubs and summer camps, the Solar Roller™: mobile discovery center, a museum shop and café, energy demo labs and workshops, and multipurpose space for special public and private events.
For news and invitations to upcoming events sign up for the e-newsletter, The Circuit, at groundbreaking@durangodiscovery.org. For more information call the museum at (970) 422-2034 or visit www.durangodiscovery.org. To schedule your visit to the Durango Discovery Museum and Durango, please call Anne at (970) 749-0991.
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The Durango Discovery Museum will be a unique interactive museum where visitors can explore science and energy topics of all kinds. The museum will be an anchor for historic downtown Durango and a catalyst for revitalizing the city’s riverfront. Housed in the country’s oldest surviving coal-fired, steam-generated AC power plant, the museum's interactive discovery and science exhibits promise to “ignite curiosity, spark imagination, and power exploration.”
The Durango Area Tourism Office is a not for profit organization operating with the mission to promote Durango and La Plata County’s multitude of tourism attractions, events, and services. 1-800-463-8726, www.durango.org
