American Bible Society to close $60 million museum
The American Bible Society will close its Faith and Freedom Discovery Center, about three years after opening the $60 million Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based museum.
In a press release emailed to The Christian Post on Monday morning, the ABS announced that the center will end operations on April 1, and the last day for public visits will be March 28.
Full refunds will be given to those who bought tickets to visit the center after March 28, according to the ABS.
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The press release cited “structural constraints,” the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown, and “other factors affecting sustainability” as the reasons for closing.
The center has struggled from the start, receiving only about $54,000 in ticket sales for the fiscal year from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, while reporting total expenses of about $11 million, according to a count. income statement.
Jennifer Holloran, who recently became the society's president and CEO, said in a statement that “the Faith and Freedom Discovery Center has served as a place of exceptional learning and inspiration since opening its doors.”
“We look forward to reimagining what the future of content could look like through a publicly accessible, digitized format,” she added.
“We are extremely grateful to our local Philadelphia partners, to those who contributed to its vision, and to the FLDC staff who poured their hearts into serving every person who walked through the doors.”
FLDC Executive Director Rob Wonderling was quoted in the press release as saying it was “an honor to serve the Faith and Freedom Discovery Center and witness the many ways it has spurred inspiration, engagement and personal discovery over the years at the heart of Independence Slow.”
“The center was an innovative vision for sharing the importance of Scripture and I am proud of the role our dedicated staff played in its mission,” Wonderling continued.
Opened in May 2021, the center was located on Philadelphia's Independence Mall and sought to educate people of all religious persuasions about the impact of Christianity in American history.
The museum held its grand opening ceremony in July of 2021, coinciding with the city's annual Wawa Welcome America Festival, with the ABS. proclaiming that “guests can explore 25,000 square feet of interactive gallery space with innovative technology.”
“Their journey through the museum will be guided by a wearable smart lamp that they can use to digitally capture favorite Bible verses, quotes and stories to revisit after they return home. Each gallery offers a new immersive experience,” explained the society.
“In one gallery, guests will come face to face with 21 American Change Makers whose lives and legacies have been shaped by the Word of God. In another, guests will be able to listen to a soundscape of songs and Scripture read by American icons such as Johnny Cash. And in a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience, guests will walk the streets of historic Philadelphia as they watch William Penn's quest for religious freedom unfold.
Source: www.christianpost.com