By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Cosmosphere had a great summer, according to Mimi Meredith, Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer.
"We had the highest attendance we've seen in nearly a decade," Meredith said. "That's pretty exciting. I think that was due to a lot of things, including the opening of our CosmoKids area."
There is a lot of construction going on, but the end product should make enjoying the Cosmosphere easier.
"We're remodeling the next three galleries," Meredith said. "You used to come down the stairs and see walls. Now you see the X-plane on your left, CosmoKids on your right. When construction is complete, which we hope will be by Christmas, you'll be able to look through and see the V-2 rocket and then have a very open and engaging experience through the Redstone, Sputnik and Kennedy theaters. The kind of strange, confining walls have all been taken away and, as a result, artifacts are just going to come to life in a whole new way."
It should make things easier for families with kids to get the most out of the museum.
"Enjoy everything at your own pace," Meredith said. "You don't feel as if you're being pushed along, and you also didn't get lost quite as easily, which people did, frequently, in the Cosmosphere. That's part of our ongoing revitalization plan and we're really excited to showcase those three new galleries."
The Hall of Space Museum is available at no charge to Reno County residents.