Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas Hits 1 Million Visitor Milestone Months Earlier Than Expected

DALLAS, July 15, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Less than eight months since its December 1 debut to the general public, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas has topped the 1 million mark in visitors coming through the doors, a milestone reached much earlier than museum officials anticipated. The millionth visitor walked through the doors sometime late Friday afternoon (July 12).

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"We opened the Perot Museum on December 1 knowing there was a gap in science education, and we hoped the new museum would play a major role in filling it," said Nicole Small, Eugene McDermott chief executive officer of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. "We are absolutely thrilled that people from across North Texas, the state and even the world have so enthusiastically embraced our mission to inspire minds through nature and science."

Since opening, the Perot Museum has played host to visitors who've participated in over a million visitor experiences – from engaging in activities and displays in the 11 exhibit halls and viewing films in The Hoglund Foundation Theater, to participating in spring break and summer camps, sleepovers, birthday parties, public programs, and adult social gatherings and evening events. While the majority of patrons come from the North Texas area, as word gets out about the Perot Museum, a growing number are traveling to Dallas from places throughout the United States and even dozens of countries representing every continent in the world.

The $185 million Perot Museum is named in honor of Margot and Ross Perot, the result of a $50 million gift by their adult children. The Museum is located on a 4.7-acre site at 2201 N. Field St., just north of downtown Dallas. The building was designed by 2005 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Thom Mayne and his California firm, Morphosis Architects. The landscape architecture, which reflects Texas' indigenous ecosystems and demonstrates a living system that will evolve naturally over time, was created by Dallas-based Talley Associates. 

During popular holidays and on many weekends, the Perot Museum has sold out. Because of the sell-outs and because the Perot Museum is selling timed tickets, visitors – including Perot Museum members – are encouraged to get tickets online in advance at perotmuseum.org. 

Small acknowledges that the first eight months have been an exciting learning experience for the Museum as well.

"The Perot Museum staff is very grateful to have so many visitors engaging with us, writing us letters, sending us emails and making calls about what they like and love as well as things they think we can do better," said Small. "Our hope is that the educational and 'aha' moments never stop and improvements never cease. Because inspiring minds is what we are about, and we want to be here for generations to come."

From now through Aug. 25, 2013, the Museum will offer extended hours from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday – Saturday and from noon-6 p.m. Sunday. General admission to the exhibit halls is $15 for adults (18-64), $12 for students (12-17) and seniors (65+), and $10 for children (2-11). General parking and handicap parking is available for a nominal fee. 

For more information, visit perotmuseum.org or call 214-428-5555.

About the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a nonprofit educational organization located in Dallas, Texas, with campuses in Victory Park and Fair Park. In support of its mission to inspire minds through nature and science, the Perot Museum delivers exciting, engaging and innovative visitor and outreach experiences through its education, exhibition, and research and collections programming for children, students, teachers, families and life-long learners. The $185 million Victory Park museum, designed by 2005 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Thom Mayne and his firm Morphosis Architects, opened to the public December 1, 2012. The Perot Museum is named in honor of Margot and Ross Perot, the result of a $50 million gift made by their five adult children. To learn more about the Perot Museum, please visit perotmuseum.org

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SOURCE Perot Museum of Nature and Science