COSI announces partnership with AMNH to bring two exhibitions to COSI, one of which will put COSI members face to face with dinosaurs. Photo by Amanda DePerro
Hold on to your butts; dinosaurs are coming to Columbus.
On Sept. 16, COSI and the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) announced a partnership to bring two new exhibitions to COSI. The American Museum of Natural History Dinosaur Gallery is slated to debut in late fall 2017 and the American Museum of Natural History Exhibition Gallery’s first special exhibit will open in February 2018.
The Dinosaur Gallery will feature AMNH’s dinosaur exhibits which includes loaned specimens and interactive exhibits while the Exhibition Gallery will showcase rotating exhibitions curated by AMNH.
The partnership was made possible by the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC), which is currently working on a plan to redevelop the Scioto Peninsula in an effort to increase visitors to the area and to COSI. It was supplemented by a $5 million investment from the state of Ohio and a $2 million gift from Abigail and Les Wexner.
“We can’t wait to welcome dinosaurs to our downtown as well as the increased economic activity that accompanies these prehistoric creatures,” says Mayor Andrew Ginther. “This is a moment of great pride for Columbus.”
The partnership comes with the Scioto Peninsula Master Plan, an effort to revitalize the East Franklinton and peninsula areas. It includes building a new apartment complex to connect downtown Columbus with East Franklinton. The CDDC will manage the design and construction of the exhibitions provided by AMNH.
“AMNH and COSI share a deep commitment to enhancing the public understanding of science, and today, broad access to science and to science education is more important than ever,” says Ellen V. Futter, president of AMNH. “We are very pleased to bring these exciting new exhibitions and educational resources about current science and discoveries in paleontology to the Columbus area.”
Amanda DePerro is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
