Last month the John James Audubon Center, in partnership with Montgomery County (Pennsylvania)—specifically, in Audubon, Pennsylvania—and the National Audubon Society celebrated the grand opening of a new 18,000-square-foot museum and nature-based facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony. A $13 million project, The Audubon Center offers interactive and family-friendly ways to explore the legacy of famed ornithologist John James Audubon and the conservation movement he inspired. It houses two galleries for art and conservation, permanent exhibits with multi-sensory experiences and outdoor features. After losing his business in 1819, Audubon declared his intention to paint every bird in North America, resulting in the world-renowned body of work of 435 images known as The Birds of America. In this gallery, visitors can view one of the few surviving first editions of The Birds of America. Admission is $14 for adults; $12 for seniors ages 65+; $10 for youth ages 6 – 17; and free for youth age 5 and under and active military (along with immediate family members).
https://johnjames.audubon.org/ or call 610-666-5593 ex. 101 for tour information.
The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory has invested a great deal and created a new a new factory tour experience. The tour now begins with a 3.5-minute movie that transports guests to the forests and mills, where every Hillerich & Bradsby Company Louisville Slugger bat begins. This giant floor-to-ceiling projection sets the stage for the tour by telling the important story of the wood before it reaches the factory. During the factory tour, guests now see and learn about steps in the bat-making process that have never been shown before. Bigger monitors, an enhanced sound system, and new footage take guests inside the machinery. New graphics along the route highlight the history of Hillerich & Bradsby Co.’s role in producing the iconic Louisville Slugger bat since 1884. Another new experience on the factory tour is the giant Pro Player Billet Bin, which showcases the billets destined to be turned into baseball bats for star players on every major league team. Every guest still receives a free souvenir mini-bat at the end of the tour. For information on tours, visit https://www.sluggermuseum.com/explore-the-museum/factory-tour, or call 877.775.8443.
National Museum of African American Music: Scheduled to open in Downtown Nashville in early 2020, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) will be a 56,000-square-foot facility that will encourage visitors to discover the many connections and influences that composers have had on all genres of music. From classical to country to jazz and hip hop, NMAAM will integrate history and interactive technology to share the untold story of more than 50 music genres and subgenres. It will be an unparalleled institution, not confined by record label, genre or recording artist, but instead will tell a unique narrative through the lens of black music. For more information, visit https://nmaam.org/, or call 615.301.8724
Museum of the Dog back in NYC: After 32 years in St. Louis, the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog has reopened in New York City where it began over 35 years ago. The museum, with one of the finest collections of canine-related art, will occupy new purpose-built galleries in mid-town Manhattan, just steps from Grand Central Station. It combines fine arts with cutting edge technology and interpretation, providing unique and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages. The Museum of the Dog’s new home at 101 Park Ave hopes to capture the hearts and minds of its visitors. Located in the Kalikow building, the Museum by offering rotating exhibits featuring objects from its 1,700-piece collection and 4,000-volume library. There are several categories of ticketing, with retail prices ranging from $5 to $15. For more information, visit www.museumofthedog.org , or call 212.696.8360.
