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Upcoming Museum Events:

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January 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31	Planetarium Show- - "Seven Wonders". Friday shows every hour on the hour beginning at 4pm (2pm Jan. 2). Last show 7pm. Museum open until 8pm Saturday shows every hour on the quarter hour beginning at 1:15pm. Last show at 4:15pm. Museum open until 5pm. Watch Trailers Hourly shows
February 7	February Free Day (KMI anniversary celebration)
	Full calendar...

Our New Planetarium Is Open!

Show Schedule | View trailers for upcoming shows | Renovation Photos

Earlier this year, Kingman Museum received $75,000 from the Miller Foundation to renovate the planetarium area, which will expand available seating to 50.  It also received a multi-year grant of $275,000 from the Guido A. & Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation to purchase new state-of-the-art projection and sound systems and 17 programs.  Kingman Museum CEO Sara Ann Briggs states that the Evans and Sutherland system is the first of its kind in western Michigan and that only two other communities in Michigan have a system like it.  “Both Cranbrook and Ann Arbor Pioneer High School have the E&S Digistar 3 SP2 Full Dome system,” said Briggs, “but what makes ours unique is that it is high definition and cove mounted.”

Kingman Museum expects increased attendance this year.  “Our attendance for the last fiscal year increased by 55 percent over the 12-month period ending in June 2007,” said Briggs.  “Offering the new planetarium shows may increase it another 50 percent,” she added.  Kingman expects both Spooky Science Saturday and its planetarium shows to be very popular. 

Sundays are being reserved for church and other groups that may want to reserve a one-hour slot between 2 to 5 p.m. for a private showing.  Briggs encourages groups to make their reservations early by calling 269-965-5117 ext. 15, Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The cost is $100 per show through December 30, 2008 and each is limited to 50 people. Shows begin at 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 p.m. Groups must prepay and there will be no refunds for cancellations.  Groups will have access to the entire museum, including a new temporary exhibition “Safari Africa: Changing Perspectives,” which opens November 22. Group flyer in PDF format.

Current general admission rates are $15 for a family of up to 6; $5 for adults 18-64; $4 for seniors (65+) and military personnel (active, reserved, retired); and $3 for children 3 - 17.  Members and children 2 and under are free.  There will be a slight increase in admission fees after the new year along with a $2 fee for planetarium shows for all adult non members, $1 for children and museum members, and $5 for families up to 6.  Babies in arms are free.  Briggs explained that this is less than what other planetariums charge for the same show. “We are trying to make our facility affordable to everyone,” said Briggs, “and at the same time meet operating expenses that accompany the new programming.”  She believes that “Mystery of the Christmas Star” will be well received by everyone.

Renovation Photos

	Mike Andrews from Union Electric installs the new electrical system for the planetarium.
	Collections Manager, Katie Nelson, tests out the new bench inside the planetarium.
	Framing is completed by Schweitzer for the new operations booth.
	The planetarium receives a new electrical system.

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Trailers

Now Showing: Seven Wonders

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