AMSE and K-25 report 'excellent year' so far
The American Museum of Science and Energy and K-25 History Center are doing well despite gasoline prices and other economic issues in the country.
Matt Mullins, director of marketing and communications for the American Museum of Science and Energy, gave an update on the two museums in an email responding to The Oak Ridger's questions earlier this year.
Closing in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two museums reopened in 2021. AMSE reopened May 21, 2021 and K-25 History Center May 24, 2021.
"We have had an excellent year at both AMSE and the K-25 History Center — both of which we operate through the AMSE Foundation with terrific support from the Department of Energy. Guests have returned in excellent numbers, and we have moved forward on several fronts with new and exciting in-person and virtual programs," he said.
At AMSE, the numbers of visitors is trending near the pre-pandemic numbers and is growing daily, Mullins said. At the K-25 History Center, numbers have been similarly good and growing.
"That Center opened only weeks before being closed due to the pandemic, so we realize that the community is still learning about its existence. But more and more people are visiting to see what is truly a wonderful museum," he said regarding the K-25 history center.
He said school groups also returned "in good numbers."
The museums, have still have maintained a busy schedule of virtual, hands-on classes as well for groups that can't come in person.
He listed the strengths the two museums have.
"First we have amazing exhibits — that is a fundamental requirement for any successful museum, and we are proud of the exhibits at both AMSE and the K-25 History Center. The latter is brand new, but AMSE was a few years old, so, during the closure, we took the opportunity to make some tweaks and additions. We have added elements like new audiovisual components, an exhibit case focusing on the nuclear Navy, a great kinetic sculpture donated by the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and Discover, and a new gallery focusing on regional innovation.
"Second, we are a real educational resources for the community and beyond. With our in-person classes at the museums, and our virtual classes, we provide STEAM resources here and around the nation.
"Third, we learned a lot during the pandemic about reaching the world online. We created virtual classes, a podcast called “AMSEcast,” a virtual Race to Space, etc. All those programs continue now, making our museums even better than before the pandemic.
"Fourth, we have an amazing crew of dedicated staff members and volunteers at both museums that make them work each and every day. And we have wonderful support from the community and our partners at the Department of Energy," he said.
Guests from all around the world to both museums, but the majority of people are from the surrounding region, he said.
Labor shortages, inflation and fuel costs have made headlines. While Mullins said both affect the museums, he was overall positive.
"Our visitation has been good despite those fuel prices, but everything we buy has gone up in price, sometimes quite a bit. We are examining how best to respond to those significant increases in cost," he said. "Thus far that labor shortage has not affected our staffing, but it has made working with contractors much more difficult. It takes much longer to get quotes and complete projects. We have had to prioritize our efforts and be patient," he stated.
You can find details on memberships, and other programs, at amse.org and k25historycenter.org, and on the AMSE Facebook page.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: AMSE reports 'excellent year' so far after reopening
