The Newseum Made Headlines in 2013 With Record-Breaking Number of Visitors

D.C. Museum Announces Plans for an Even Bigger 2014

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Newseum welcomed more visitors in 2013 than in any other year since the museum opened on Pennsylvania Avenue in 2008. One of Washington's most popular attractions, the museum in 2013 saw a five percent increase in visitors over 2012.

Visitors experienced world-class exhibits such as "Three Shots Were Fired" and "Creating Camelot," both of which featured rare artifacts and images about the life, legacy and death of President John F. Kennedy.

Other exhibits launched in 2013 included "Make Some Noise" and "1963: Civil Rights at 50," commemorating the U.S. civil rights movement and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. In November 2013, the Newseum opened "Anchorman: The Exhibit," which displays props, costumes and clips from the comedy hit "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" and explores the real-life challenges women faced when they moved into the anchor desk in the 1970s.

The Newseum routinely ranks among the top three attractions in Washington, D.C., according to tripadvisor.com.

Launched in 2013, the Newseum Institute provided a forum for educational programs and thought-leadership initiatives. The Institute also offers educational materials addressing the five freedoms of the First Amendment and the role of media in society.

Students from all 50 states and 16 countries visited the Newseum in 2013 and participated in the Newseum's free educational classes. The Newseum's Digital Classroom, a free online resource for students and teachers, experienced a 60 percent increase in users.

Newseum memberships also saw dramatic growth in 2013, with an increase of 52 percent over the previous year, as more individuals identified with the Newseum's mission and chose to support the Newseum through the annual Press Pass Membership program. Members enjoy a year of free Newseum admission and priority access to a wide variety of events and special programs at the Newseum, plus other exclusive benefits.

Throughout the year, hundreds of programs and events featuring well-known journalists, lawmakers and celebrities took place at the Newseum. Special guests included NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel; Rep. John Lewis; filmmaker Oliver Stone; CNN anchor Jake Tapper; veteran journalist Tom Brokaw; Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg; Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr.; and entertainers Gabrielle Union, will.i.am, John Goodman, Rob Lowe, Will Ferrell, David Koechner and others.

"When people visit the Newseum they experience immersive, award-winning exhibits, programs and films, that tell stories in unique, interactive ways," said Jim Duff, CEO of the Newseum. "Many of our visitors in 2013 were students, and through their Newseum visits they become better informed and more engaged citizens."

2014 promises to be an even bigger year at the Newseum.

While the popular "Anchorman: The Exhibit" will remain open through August 2014, four other temporary exhibits also are planned for 2014.

• Jan. 17 – Dec. 28, 2014
  "1964: Civil Rights at 50"
  This exhibit about Freedom Summer will feature images captured by photographer Ted Polumbaum for Time magazine. Polumbaum's powerful images captured the 1964 clash between segregationists and civil rights activists who poured into Mississippi in a campaign to register blacks to vote.
• April 25 – Sept. 1, 2014
  "Pictures of the Year"
  This photography exhibit showcases dramatic images of the people, events and issues that shaped the world in 2013. The display will spotlight the best news images from Pictures of the Year International (POYi), the oldest photojournalism contest in the world.
• May 16, 2014 – Jan. 4, 2015
  "One Nation With News for All"
  The first-ever Newseum exhibit in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution will tell the story of how immigrants and minorities used the power of the press to fight for their rights and change American history.
• Sept. 26, 2014 – March 29, 2015
  "The Boomer List: Photographs by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders"
  Acclaimed photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders's large-scale portraits will spotlight some of the most fascinating baby boomers, as the youngest members of that influential generation turn 50 this year.

Educating the public about journalism and the First Amendment is a primary focus for the Newseum. In March, a new learning module will be added to the Newseum's Digital Classroom. Focusing on women's suffrage, the module will include primary source documents and cross-discipline lesson plans for use in classrooms across the country. The website is a premier, free online resource for middle school, high school and college teachers and students searching for primary source material on core learning subjects.

Since opening on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Newseum has become a favorite Washington, D.C., venue for parties, events, conferences, movie premieres and weddings. In 2014, the Newseum will continue to function as the center for social and thought-leadership events in the nation's capital.

Contributing sponsorship support for "Civil Rights at 50" has been provided by Walmart and Altria Group.

"Pictures of the Year" was created in collaboration with the Donald W. Reynolds Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism.

AARP is the exclusive sponsor of "The Boomer List: Photographs by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders."

About the Newseum

The mission of the Newseum is to champion the five freedoms of the First Amendment through education, information and entertainment. One of the top attractions in Washington, D.C., the Newseum's 250,000-square-foot news museum offers visitors a state-of-the-art experience that blends news history with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits. The Newseum Institute serves as a forum for First Amendment study, exploration and education. The Newseum is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations, including the Freedom Forum. For more information, visit newseum.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Newseum