Mummies of the World Arrives in Philadelphia Under Heavy Security Detail for Exhibition's Debut at The Franklin Institute

PHILADELPHIA, June 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 40 priceless mummies arrived in Philadelphia today under heavy security detail as part of the upcoming Mummies of the World exhibition at The Franklin Institute. This normally hidden portion of exhibition load-in was opened for media coverage by The Franklin Institute for the first time ever. The mummies traveled more than 800 miles from Milwaukee to make their highly-anticipated Philadelphia debut as part of the must-see Mummies of the World exhibit – the largest exhibition of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110201/FL40571 )

Upon arrival, the security detail and exhibitors signed over the mummies for the museum's safe-keeping and key executives and experts spoke to the press about the upcoming exhibition, which opens at The Franklin Institute's Mandell Center on Saturday, June 18, 2011.

Marc Corwin and James Delay of American Exhibitions, Inc. – producer of the groundbreaking exhibition – were joined by Troy Collins of The Franklin Institute and Meryl Levitz of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Council (GPTMC) for the ceremonious occasion. Special guest Dr. Heather Gill-Frerking, scientific research curator for the German Mummy Project (GMP), an organization based in Manheim, Germany that played an integral role in bringing the Mummies of the World exhibition to life in the United States, was also on hand to speak with media about the science and background of the highly-acclaimed exhibit.

"We are excited to bring Mummies of the World to Philadelphia, a city that is lauded for its commitment to arts and culture," said Corwin. "Mummies of the World provides residents in the Philadelphia area with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see real mummies from around the world and explore the lives and cultures of these ancient people and civilizations. Inside every mummy is a story waiting to be told, and Mummies of the World is here to tell those stories."

Mummies of the World features an astounding collection of 150 artifacts and real human and animal specimens from South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Egypt. The popular traveling exhibition premiered to sell out crowds in Los Angeles at the California Science Center in July 2010. It quickly became a major attraction and one of the most successful exhibits in the Science Center's 13-year history. It then debuted at the Milwaukee Public Museum on December 17, where it drew visitors from all 50 states.

Following the arrival, curators and exhibition staff will work day and night on the load-in and installation of the exhibit, which is set to debut at The Franklin Institute on June 18, 2011. These curators will work around the clock to ensure the mummies are prepped and properly displayed prior to opening, while treated with reverence and dignity.

"We are proud to be able to host what we hope will be yet another 'must-see' event of the summer," said Collins. "This is a unique opportunity to experience a never-before-seen collection of mummies from around the world in Philadelphia, and a great testament to the reputation of The Franklin Institute and to the growing reputation of our city as a cultural center."

"The Franklin Institute is one of the best partners GPTMC has, and an exhibition like this is a destination definer," said Levitz. "We anticipate that Mummies of the World will be a huge attraction and great success here in Philadelphia."

Mummies of the World is a timed-entry ticketed event. Tickets are available online at www.fi.edu or by calling at 1-877-TFI-TIXS.

SOURCE Mummies of the World