Second meeting on AMSE features regional museum executives

 

The second in a series of community meetings on the American Museum of Science and Energy will feature executives from regional museums and attractions. They will discuss how their museums were established and developed, and how each is currently managed and operated.

The executives who are participating are:

• John Joslyn, owner/operator of The Titanic Museums in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Branson, Missouri;
• Leah Ross, executive director of Birthplace of Country Music Museum and Association in Bristol, Virginia, and Tennessee; and
• Ellie Kittrell, executive director of The MUSE Knoxville (formerly The Discovery Center).

The community meeting is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge and the American Museum of Science and Energy Foundation. It’s scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 19, at AMSE.

“At our initial meeting last month, the public had an opportunity to hear about current AMSE operations and learn more about the role of the AMSE Foundation,” said AMSE Foundation President Wayne Stevenson.

“The Foundation was gratified at the large turnout, and the level of interest in the future success of our museum.” Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said. “We appreciate the willingness our speakers to travel to Oak Ridge and share their experience with our community. We will review the input received at the first meeting, and hear from our guest speakers about what it takes to operate a successful attraction in today’s environment.”

AMSE is located at 300 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge. Registration and light refreshments will be available beginning at 5:30 p.m. August 19.

AMSE was opened in 1949 and is owned by the U.S. Department of Energy. The museum showcases the history of the Manhattan Project and the current scientific, energy, and national security missions carried out by DOE facilities in Oak Ridge. Oak Ridge National Laboratory currently manages the museum for DOE and contributes, along with other major DOE contractors in Oak Ridge, to the museum’s operating costs. The AMSE Foundation was chartered in September 1996 to support the cultural, educational and scientific programs of the museum. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation; the tax-exempt status provides an added benefit to help support a variety of AMSE events and programs. Foundation membership is open to any individual who applies for the appropriate AMSE membership category. For more information, visit www.amse.org or www.oakridgetn.gov.