(Omaha, Neb.) - FEBRUARY 9, 2017 -   Omaha Children's Museum, 500 S. 20th St., set record attendance in 2016 with 316,915 visitors. The number reflects an increase of 10,000 general visitors to the museum from 2015, as well nearly 800 campers and more than 17,000 students on field trips.

"The continued rise in the museum's on-site attendance is a testament to the power of our mission: To engage the imagination and create excitement for learning," said Executive Director Lindy Hoyer. "The excitement extends beyond young children, as we're now serving the whole family through unique events such as Tinkerfest, First Friday Family Date Nights and our adult night, A Haunting at Hogwarts."

Many exhibits and events contributed to the growth in numbers. The temporary exhibit, Pirates and Mermaids: Voyage to Creature Cove, attracted more than 100,000 visitors from May to September 2016. The museum also added new permanent exhibits such as the Play Along The Platte water table and a new barn in 2016. The education department also created new educational programs including free offerings like Baby Sign Language.

The attendance number does not include the total number of people who visited the museum's exhibit, "Dinos: The Big Dig" at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island, Neb. The 2016 state fair attracted 361,107 people. According to the  Omaha World-Herald  "Longtime fair exhibitors and visitors said the reason they're seeing overflowed parking lots and good crowds is that they're seeing new stuff and improvements every year - like the dinosaurs." (Sept. 6, 2016)

Attendance numbers in p revious years:

2015: 302,901

2014: 290,996

2013: 282,287

2012: 253,311

2011: 268,954

 

To request a photo or to set up an interview, please contact Kim Reiner, Marketing and PR Manager at Omaha Children's Museum, at 402-930-2356 or kreiner@ocm.org. 

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About Omaha Children's Museum

Since its inception in 1976, Omaha Children's Museum has been a special place where children can challenge themselves, discover how the world works and learn through play. The mission of Omaha Children's Museum is to engage the imagination and create excitement about learning. The museum's permanent exhibits include Charlie Campbell Science & Technology Center, Creative Arts Center including the Karen Levin Artist-in-Residence Studio, Imagination Playground and Walker Tire & Auto Service Center. In addition to its permanent exhibits, Omaha Children's Museum offers educational programs, traveling exhibitions, field trips, outreach programs, summer camps and early childhood programs.

For more information visit http://www.ocm.org.

Museum Information

500 S. 20th St.
Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 342-6164