Los Angeles — According to American Exhibitions Inc., Mummies of the World, said to be the largest exhibition of mummies ever assembled, has become one of the most successful paid exhibit openings in the California Science Center‘s 13-year history. The exhibition welcomed its milestone 100,000th visitor on Aug. 19 – just seven weeks after its July 1 world premiere in Los Angeles.
“Crowds have been lining up to see Mummies of the World since it opened,” says Jeff Rudolph, president of the California Science Center. “It has been gratifying to see that so many people appreciate the opportunity this exhibit offers to learn more about the scientific research involved in the study of mummies.”
In its first 50 days, the exhibition has welcomed 100,000 visitors through the door; ticket sales including future dates put the total number at 106,687. The total number for the first Body Worlds exhibition – another world premiere – which the Science Center hosted from July 2, 2004 to Jan. 23, 2005, had ticket sales at 102,525 during the same time frame. The total number for the Titanic exhibition, which the Science Center hosted from Feb. 9 to Sept. 1, 2003, was 66,412 during its first 50 days.
At the end of July, the California Science Center and American Exhibitions, Inc. announced extended weekend hours to accommodate popular demand for the exhibition.
“As a leading marketing partner for Mummies of the World, LA INC. the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased to mark this attendance milestone in such a remarkably short time,” says Michael McDowell, LA INC.’s Senior Director for Cultural Tourism. “The early and continued success of Mummies of the World is just the latest indicator of Los Angeles’ reputation for presenting world-class cultural and educational exhibitions that capture and stir the imagination of residents and visitors alike.”
Mummies of the World presents a never-before-seen collection of naturally and intentionally preserved mummies. This compelling collection, presented with reverence and dignity, includes ancient mummies and important artifacts from Asia, Oceania, South America, Europe, and ancient Egypt, dating as far back as 6,500 years.
Featuring a collection of 150 objects, including real human and animal mummies and related artifacts, the exhibition demonstrates that mummification – both through natural and intentional processes – has taken place all over the globe, from the hot desert sands of South America to remote European moors and bogs.
Mummies of the World is presented by American Exhibitions, Inc. in association with the Reiss-Engelhorn-Museums, Mannheim, Germany. The exhibition runs at the California Science Center through Nov 28, 2010. Mummies makes its Midwest debut at the Milwaukee Public Museum on Dec 17, 2010.
American Exhibitions, Inc. is a producer of world class touring exhibitions for science centers and museums. The company is a long-standing member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and the American Association of Museums (AAM).
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