TERRE HAUTE —
Even for a museum of 23,000 square feet, 7,000 people is a big number.
“I can say I’ve never seen anything like this in all the years and all the organizations I’ve been a part of,” Rich Dunkin said inside the Terre Haute Children’s Museum door Sunday afternoon. “In all my life in Terre Haute …”
Dunkin, a board member of the museum, was one of scores of volunteers decked out in tie-dye T-shirts managing the opening weekend festivities.
And they needed every volunteer they could find.
“Four thousand people through the doors is unbelievable,” he said of Saturday’s attendance. But 1,800 came through Friday, and another 1,500 had already come through before 3 p.m. Sunday. Another three hours were left before closing time and more people were waiting outside to enter.
By all accounts, the opening weekend of the new Terre Haute Children’s Museum was a booming success.
“It’s huge,” executive director Lynn Hughes said up on the third floor, surrounded by kids rifling through the exhibits. The museum staff expected strong participation, but the combination of great weather, celebrity Bill Nye, the Terre Haute Street Fair and Farmers’ Market all brought about a mega-turnout. “You never really expect 4,000,” she said of the Saturday numbers.
The museum will be closed today as staff clean, repair and regroup. The gift shop and concessions areas had been picked clean by Sunday afternoon. Hughes said that considering the sheer volume of people going through the exhibits in a relatively short period of time, the facility was in remarkable shape. Another 1,200 will go through this week as Parke County schools visit for field trips.
“Everyone seemed to have a good time and that’s what’s important,” she said.
Admission to the museum is normally $7, or $5 as part of a group. Hughes said the museum will make an outstanding destination point for the schools of neighboring counties.
Meanwhile, Matthew Simpson, 12, proudly wore a black-and-white balloon hat near the multistory treehouse while up from Branson, Mo., visiting friends for the weekend.
“The bubble thing,” he said when asked his favorite display.
The bubble exhibit is on the third floor and features a platform on which a person stands. The platform is atop a container of liquid soap, and by bending down to lift a plastic ring, one can envelop themselves in a full-size bubble.
Simpson’s friend Matthew Fields, 7, wore paint on his face and said “the tree house” was his favorite, while dozens of children swarmed about the floor with another three hours left to play that afternoon.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
-
"T" riffic: A giant T-Rex skeleton greets attendees at the Terre Haute Children's Museum Saturday morning.
-
Tree house: Hundreds of children explore at the Terre Haute Children's Museum Saturday afternoon.
-
Busy place: The Terre Haute Children's Museum held an open house event Saturday, attracting thousands.
-
Standing room only: The attending crowd reacts to Bill Nye during the Children's Museum event Saturday morning.
-
Science guy: Bill Nye appear at the Children's Museum event Saturday morning.
-
Museum welcome: Terre Haute Children's Museum director Lynn Hughes welcomes a huge crowd to Saturday's Bill Nye The Science Guy event.
Discussion
Terre Haute Children’s Museum wraps up opening weekend
- News
-
-
INDOT gives 641 update
Two construction phases remain on the 641 bypass that will connect U.S. 41 to Interstate 70 around Terre Haute, with construction work on Phase III slated to start this spring.
-
5 vehicles in Tuesday morning crash
Six people suffered injuries on Tuesday morning in a fiery five-vehicle crash that featured what a witness called an amazing, selfless rescue of one driver who was trapped in a car after it was struck from behind at a Terre Haute intersection.
-
Woman crossing road struck, killed Monday night on 3rd Street
A Terre Haute woman has died from injuries suffered when she was struck by two vehicles while crossing South Third Street on Monday night. She reportedly was walking home from a convenience store.
-
Buschon touts his efforts in campaign kickoff
U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Evansville, was in Terre Haute on Tuesday to officially launch his 2012 re-election campaign for Indiana’s 8th Congressional District.
-
Donnelly kicks off run for senate seat in Terre Haute
Their life experiences differ, but their messages sounded similar on Tuesday morning – positive change to help families and working Americans through tough economic times.
-
Zoeller helps punch down hunger
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller threw several punches at hunger on Tuesday when he visited a local food bank to launch the fourth annual March Against Hunger food drive competition.
-
Election board removes two from primary ballot
Two candidates have been removed from the May primary election ballot after the Vigo County Election Board on Tuesday ruled them ineligible under rules of the county’s Republican Party.
-
ANALYSIS: Terre Haute the crossroads of Indiana political universe
Terre Haute has been Grand Central Station this week for politicians battling for seats in the U.S. Congress.
-
4.0 quake in Missouri shakes Illinois, Indiana, other states
Only minor damage is reported after an earthquake centered in southeast Missouri shook at least nine states.
-
ISU sessions focus on diversifying faculty
Currently a high school librarian in Indianapolis, Edith Campbell would like to become an academic librarian — potentially at Indiana State University.
-
Is it winter yet?
Tulips and daffodils can’t read a calendar to know that it’s still February, so across the Wabash Valley, spring flowers have appeared because temperatures have been averaging about 7.5 degrees higher than usual.
-
Pink Floyd tribute band to rock every brick in the walls of venerable theater
The classical downtown Terre Haute venue of the Indiana Theatre will soon be filled with the classic, psychedelic rock music of Pink Floyd.
-
Year after passage, attempts to change voucher law failing
School choice advocates who ended the last legislative session with a bill that created the largest voucher program in the nation have been stymied this session in their efforts to expand the program’s scope.
-
Candidate says teachers ‘can be heard’
About 70 people attended a meet-and-greet campaign event Monday for James R. Mann II, who is running on the Democratic ticket for the Indiana House of Representatives District 46 seat.
-
Library board agrees to $200K from reserves for building renovations
The Vigo County Public Library has an appointment for a big interior facelift.
-
Forecaster: Indiana’s winter is warmest since 2002
A meteorologist says Indiana’s mild winter that’s lured some spring flowers into early bloom has been the state’s warmest in a decade.
-
Indiana Department of Child Services’ Heart Gallery hopes to make the adoption connection
The faces of Indiana’s orphans greet Terre Haute congregations, hopeful for a home.
-
Churches unite for Black History Celebration
The sanctuary was packed inside Grace Temple Sunday night, although the pews were empty for most of the service.
-
Lugar uses visit to tout GOP credentials
Indiana’s senior statesman described the fruits of his labors Sunday at a local pie shop filled with Republicans.
-
Ivy Tech student prepared to make global impact
In July, Ivy Tech student Genie Hemmrich will spend the month in Prague, Czech Republic, as part of a global leadership program.
-
MIKE LUNSFORD: Taking a road less traveled in this illogical life
If you can still recall reading the poetry of Robert Frost in your high school English class years ago, I imagine that you can conjure up a line or two from his “The Road Not Taken.”
-
Meeting on Indiana 641 bypass Tuesday at South
A public information meeting on the final two phases of the Indiana 641 bypass is scheduled for Tuesday in the Terre Haute South Vigo High School cafeteria, 3737 S. Seventh St.
-
City police investigate shots fired
Police on Sunday were still investigating reports of shots being fired Saturday night outside a Terre Haute night club.
-
Funding history: Legislature looks at expanding historic preservation tax credits
To lure investors to put money into abandoned historic structures in the downtowns of Indiana cities and towns, the state legislature created a special tax credit nearly 20 years ago.
-
Preservation tax credit increase could benefit Terre Haute greatly
Terre Haute has its share of historic commercial structures, many already designated in state and federal historic areas, and many left unused or underutilized.
-
Hauteans turn gladiators for ‘material girl’ Madonna
Madonna knew what she wanted for her Super Bowl XLVI half-time show in Indianapolis — and some folks linked to Terre Haute filled the bill.
-
Rescue earns Wabash Valley man Boy Scouts’ highest lifesaving award
Nathan Schaumleffel happened to be the right person in the right place at the right time on May 8.
-
Public info meeting set for Tuesday on 641 bypass phases III and IV
A public information meeting on the final two phases of the Indiana 641 bypass is scheduled for Tuesday in the Terre Haute South Vigo High School cafeteria, 3737 S. Seventh St.
-
Sweet Saturday: 2,000 diners attend first day of annual Fowler Park Pancake Breakfast
Unseasonably sweet weather had lines of people flowing freely into Fowler Park on Saturday.
-
STATE OF THE STATEHOUSE: Shepard likely to remain in public eye
Indiana’s longest serving chief justice will soon leave the Statehouse, but don’t expect him to leave the public eye.
- More News Headlines
-
Raw Video: Dozens Dead in Argentina Train Crash
US Team: Honduras Prison Fire Was an Accident
Man Accused of Repeatedly Running Over Lover
Raw Video: Obama Belts Out Blues
Wounded Vets Regain Some Camaraderie in Kitchen
Father Accused of Using Leash on 11 Year Old
Ga. Authorities Say 5 Dead in Spa Shooting
Two Western Journalists Killed in Syria
FDA: New Suppliers to Ease 2 Drug Shortages
Raw Video: Houston Gravesite Revealed
Raw Video: New Orleans Revels in Mardi Gras
Doctor Details Cancer Drug Needs and Shortage
Obama Helps Break Ground on Black History Museum
Raw Video: Afghan Protesters Wounded
Raw Video: Iranian Ships Sail Suez Canal
Heavy Shelling Rages Across Cities in Syria
14-year-old Dies at Party After Inhaling Helium
NZ Remembers Christchurch Quake After 1 Year
Raw Video: Intense Shelling Reported in Syria
Obama Thanks Merkel for Greece Rescue Package
Former VS Model Stuns at 43
Raw Video: Guilty Verdict in UVa Lacrosse Death
Kourtney Adds A Baby Girl to the Kardashian Clan
Is this the world's shortest man?
What's Next For Quinn?!?
Megan Fox Flaunts Figure in Bikini
Santorum: I oppose civil unions
Adele Flips Off the Brit Awards
Latest YouTube Tween Videos: Am I Ugly?
Judge Says Lindsay Lohan in the "Home Stretch"
2.21: Floyd Mayweather from the Kings vs. Heat game
Slimmed Down Mariah Carey Debuts New Health PSA
Bourbon Street - New Orleans, Louisiana
Video: Violent Man Pepper Sprayed at Disneyland
Tiffani Thiessen Drops 45 Pounds
Bridge demolition: Caught on tape
Dana White rips Floyd Mayweather
Boy with Down Syndrome Becomes Basketball Star
