The Mariner's Museum Announces Free Second Sundays in July and August

For Immediate Release

The Mariner's Museum Announces Free Second Sundays in July and August

Newport News, Va.-- In honor of its 75th Anniversary, The Mariners' Museum is offering free admission on the second Sundays of July and August as a gift to the community. The dates are July 12 and August 9. The Museum will be open both days from Noon to 5 P.M. and offers a cool way to spend a hot summer afternoon with family members of all ages.

Designated "America's National Maritime Museum" by the United States Congress, The Mariners' Museum is one of the largest international maritime museums in the world and is dedicated to celebrating the spirit of the sea. The Museum is filled with fascinating stories, captured in priceless artifacts such as rare figureheads, handcrafted ship models, paintings, small craft from around the world, and navigational instruments. The turret, guns, and other artifacts recovered from the USS Monitor, the Civil War ironclad famous for its part in the Battle of Hampton Roads in March of 1862, are part of the award winning USS Monitor Center.

In addition to the permanent galleries, there are special exhibitions currently on view. Building Better Ships, named one of Hampton Roads' Top Five Art Exhibitions of 2008, features the paintings of Thomas C. Skinner and explores the history of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company during the 1930s. The photographic exhibit Message in a Bottle examines the environmental impact of global consumerism and trash on beaches and includes beautiful images by photographers Chris Jordan and Andy Hughes. Outdoor sculptures created from recycled materials by artist Elaine Viel and students from the College of William & Mary are also featured.

The Mariners' Museum is located within the 550-acre Mariners' Museum Park, the largest private park in the United States open free to the public. The Museum maintained naturally wooded property includes the popular 5-mile Noland Trail. Visitors to the Museum may rent paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes to experience the Park from the waters of Lake Maury.

The Museum Gift Shop and the Compass Café will also be open during free Sundays.

For more information:
Contact: Amy Richie, Public Relations Director
(757) 591-7738 or (800) 581-7245
E-mail: pr@MarinersMuseum.org

The Mariners' Museum, an educational, non-profit institution accredited by the American Association of Museums, preserves and interprets maritime history through an international collection of ship models, figureheads, paintings and other maritime artifacts. The museum is open from 10 A.M. until 5 P.M. Monday through Saturday, and 12 to 5 P.M. Sunday. It will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For information, visit www.marinersmuseum.org, call (757) 596-2222 or (800) 581-7245, or write to The Mariners' Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606.

The Mariners' Museum and The South Street Seaport Museum of New York City are partners in America's National Maritime Museum, an innovative alliance recognized by an act of Congress in June 1998 to share collections, exhibitions, educational programs, publications, and other endeavors.