FT. PIERCE, Fla. -- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. is pleased to announce a $491,928 award from the State of Florida's Cultural Facilities Program (Dept. of State, Cultural Affairs) towards the construction of a $1.5 million, 15,000 sq. ft. museum of ocean sciences at Harbor Branch.
The proposed museum building will house marine science exhibits and displays with particular emphasis on ocean research, education, engineering and at sea operations. Interactive and participatory ocean related exhibits will be the main focus of the museum, allowing visitors to experience the museum at their own pace.
Overwhelming demand for information about the marine environment, marine plant and animal life and current oceanography, has prompted plans to move from a guided tour format using exhibits spread out around Harbor Branch's 500 acre campus to a self-guided museum where all the exhibits will be contained in one building.
Construction will begin in late 1998 with an official opening scheduled for the fall of 1999.
Questions or information about the museum should be directed to Harbor Branch Public Relations Officer, Susan Hanson at 561-465-2400 ext. 206 or Director of Visitor Services, Jan Petri, 561-465-2400 ext. 241.
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. is one of the nation's premier not-for-profit oceanographic research and education facilities, dedicated to the exploration of the world's oceans, estuaries and coastal regions, for the benefit of all humankind.