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A Walk Through Time/A Glimpse of the Future

If ever you have visited the Evansville Museum in your lifetime, you may recall the classic exhibit “Evansville: A Walk Through Time,” which features scenes of a simpler life of Evansville from 1825 – 1910. Whilst the museum’s interior gloriously recreates this glimpse into the past, its exterior will begin to give glimpses into the future.

            Recently, the Evansville Museum announced its plans for a $15 million renovation, “Reaching for the Stars: A Galaxy of Arts, History, and Science.” This multifaceted renovation will dramatically change the face of the museum and add wonderful architectural features; all in addition to adding much needed space.

            The museum’s entrance will be relocated closer to the parking lot and EMTRACK (the train exhibit). Two stories, all glass, and featuring an Immersive Theatre Planetarium and a water feature, the museum’s face will be both reformatted and relocated to redefine what it means to be one of Evansville’s premiere community anchors.

            The addition is a much welcomed façade, however, the changes continue on to the interior. Included in this will be a new center for History and Science with exhibits changing frequently. The Immersive Theatre addition, aside from a spherical architectural feature, will offer some of the most innovative planetarium technology available. It will be much larger than the current planetarium and allow schools and businesses to utilize the space. The old planetarium will be redefined as a board room which will capture the river view through the installation of windows.

            Other changes include a WWII addition to the “Evansville: A Walk Through Time” exhibit. This increase will feature artifacts from the museum’s extensive collection of items from this period and also introduce the LST 325 ship, which was built in Evansville during that time.

            You can expect many positive changes for the Evansville Museum in the near future, but projects such as these remain impossible without the support of the community. As a vital community resource, the museum and its additions will help Evansville progress as a community who supports the arts and its local interests. The plan continues to move toward reaching its goal and being able to produce the radical change, but it is up to you, as a community leader unto yourself, to help see the project through.

            As a citizen of Evansville, you don’t have to visit the museum to see its benefits. Every time a home is sold, every business that comes to town, and every roadway that is built in our home is tied indirectly to the Evansville Museum; as museums are a key indicator of community progress, education, and intellect. I have lived in Evansville all of my life and value my community and all of the resources which it offers.