thedrifter
03-16-07, 02:36 PM
Visitors answer call to Marines museum
March 16, 2007 12:00 am
BY JENN ROWELL
The 200,000th visitor is expected at the National Museum of the Marine Corps this week, putting the staff on track to exceed their goals for the year.
When the museum opened off Interstate 95 across from Quantico Marine Corps Base in November, staff expected 250,000 to 500,000 visitors in the first year, according to Director Lin Ezell.
With that goal in site, the museum staff is working with its private partner, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, to fund and fill the second phase, which will add 100,000 square feet of classrooms and exhibit and office space.
“Our mission certainly has not been completed at this point,” said Gen. Gerald McKay, a retired Marine and the chief operating officer for the foundation.
Dollar figure goals haven’t been set since plans are still being developed for the second phase. McKay and Ezell said it will be hard to know how much they need to raise until site plans are finished.
The additions will “help us continue the story of the history of the Marine Corps,” Ezell said.
Several existing galleries will be renovated to make way for three or four new exhibits that Ezell said she hopes will open in 2010. This set of exhibits is part of the first phase of the museum, but resources weren’t available to have them ready for the grand opening last year, Ezell said.
She also anticipates a traveling exhibit coming to the museum in November to celebrate its one-year anniversary.
The museum was built as a public-private partnership between the Marines and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The foundation funds construction and the Marine Corps supplies artifacts and the exhibits.
That partnership will continue for the second phase, Ezell and McKay said.
A parking lot expansion also is planned. Some visitors have had to park on U.S. 1 because of overcrowding in the existing lot.
To give younger visitors some fun space, a playground will be built on the museum grounds.
Other outdoor activities are available at the adjacent park, which also is being expanded.
Temporary trails are in place and McKay anticipates work on permanent trails will start as soon as this summer, using federal grant money.
Jenn Rowell: 540/374-5418
jrowell@freelancestar.com
Ellie
March 16, 2007 12:00 am
BY JENN ROWELL
The 200,000th visitor is expected at the National Museum of the Marine Corps this week, putting the staff on track to exceed their goals for the year.
When the museum opened off Interstate 95 across from Quantico Marine Corps Base in November, staff expected 250,000 to 500,000 visitors in the first year, according to Director Lin Ezell.
With that goal in site, the museum staff is working with its private partner, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, to fund and fill the second phase, which will add 100,000 square feet of classrooms and exhibit and office space.
“Our mission certainly has not been completed at this point,” said Gen. Gerald McKay, a retired Marine and the chief operating officer for the foundation.
Dollar figure goals haven’t been set since plans are still being developed for the second phase. McKay and Ezell said it will be hard to know how much they need to raise until site plans are finished.
The additions will “help us continue the story of the history of the Marine Corps,” Ezell said.
Several existing galleries will be renovated to make way for three or four new exhibits that Ezell said she hopes will open in 2010. This set of exhibits is part of the first phase of the museum, but resources weren’t available to have them ready for the grand opening last year, Ezell said.
She also anticipates a traveling exhibit coming to the museum in November to celebrate its one-year anniversary.
The museum was built as a public-private partnership between the Marines and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The foundation funds construction and the Marine Corps supplies artifacts and the exhibits.
That partnership will continue for the second phase, Ezell and McKay said.
A parking lot expansion also is planned. Some visitors have had to park on U.S. 1 because of overcrowding in the existing lot.
To give younger visitors some fun space, a playground will be built on the museum grounds.
Other outdoor activities are available at the adjacent park, which also is being expanded.
Temporary trails are in place and McKay anticipates work on permanent trails will start as soon as this summer, using federal grant money.
Jenn Rowell: 540/374-5418
jrowell@freelancestar.com
Ellie