Discovery Center Design Unveiled and Some Exhibit Plans Outlined

Discovery Park of America, a 50-acre education and entertainment complex for adults and children is moving ahead at full speed after a delay due to a change in architects.

At a June 22 event, Discovery Park officials unveiled a new design for Discovery Center; the flagship building that will house most of the exhibits and interactive experiences. Plans for some of the exhibits were also announced at the event including the demonstration of a historic airplane, a Stearman PT-17 that was widely used to train pilots during WWII. Also shown was wooden gears and grist stones from a circa 1800 gristmill that will be constructed on the north side of the site at the inception of a water feature that will flow throughout the site.

Background
Discovery Park of America will be a $100 million dollar educational venue that will enable visitors to understand and celebrate the culture, spirit and accomplishments of the human race in nature, science, art and history.

The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation is the principal benefactor of Discovery Park. The Kirkland’s have a vision for this venue as a place where children and adults could learn in an entertaining and pleasant environment.

Cooperation and Involvement
Discovery Park of America is a cooperative endeavor with broad participation by the citizens of Union City as well as Obion and surrounding counties. Hundreds of dedicated volunteers are planning each themed area of the venue as well as needed services. Local and state governments are also taking an active role in the development. The state of Tennessee is considering the construction of a Welcome/Tourism Center on the property when I-69 is built adjacent to the west side of the property.

Discovery Center
The centerpiece of Discovery Park will be Discovery Center; a 100,000 sq. ft. building that will showcase many exciting and stimulating learning experiences. Located in a lush 50-acre site in western Tennessee, the new building will be a compelling landmark that will surprise and intrigue visitors. White curving forms, expansive glass areas and a tower that soars 200’ into the sky offers clues to the excitement contained within. The tower room and outdoor observation area will offer a spectacular view of the Discovery Park site and surrounding area.

Discovery Center’s multi-story atriums will be filled with exhibits that educate and captivate visitors. A dinosaur hall, suspended airplane, giant climb-through human body, simulator for earthquakes and tornados, interactive starship, exploratory activities for children and many other things will provide an exceptional visitor experience.

It will also include a Grand Hall with space for meetings and social events for groups of approximately 250 people as well as a Tower Room that will accommodate about 50 people.

Discovery Center was designed by Verner Johnson and Associates, Architects and Museum Planers. Verner Johnson specializes exclusively in museum architecture and planning. They have designed more than 200 museums and it is estimated that more than 13 million people annually visit museums designed by Verner Johnson. In addition to designing the main exhibit building, Discovery Center, Verner Johnson will also be responsible for the implementation of the site master plan and all exhibit design and fabrication. Thinc Design is on the Verner Johnson team with responsibility for designing exhibits and Maltbie will be responsible for exhibit construction and installation.

Other Areas of Discovery Park
The 50-acre site will also feature a number of historical structures and items associated with life from mid-1800 through the early 1900’s. A Farm Life area, Town Center, Great Lawn and outdoor amphitheatre are just a few of planned experiences. These structures will be grouped throughout the site along a prominent water feature that flows north to south. Landscaped paths along the stream and several bridges will create a delightful and educational visitor walking experience to outdoor exhibits, performance areas and gardens.

Schedule
Site preparation will resume in August 2010. Construction on Discovery Center will begin in April 2011 with completion and opening of the complex in late 2012.

The museum will have exciting exhibits and interactive experiences in the following areas:

• Regional History
• Native Americans
• Natural History
• Science and Space
• Transportation History
• Art
• Military History
• Children’s Exploration
• Enlightenment Area
• Alternative Energy
• Travelling Exhibit Area