Body Worlds & the Brain Most Successful Exhibition in Science Museum of Virginia History

RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Body Worlds & the Brain has been the most popular exhibition in the Museum's history," says Science Museum of Virginia Chief Wonder Officer Richard C. Conti. "More than 100,000 people visited over the summer and almost every weekend sold out. We even added cooling capacity to the gallery to keep up with the number of guests spending quality time with Body Worlds!"

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Summer visitation of over 100,000 guests is a milestone for the museum, representing growth of 100% over last summer, and a 60% increase over Titanic Science, the last blockbuster science exhibition featured at the museum. Retail sales also doubled this summer with the addition of a dedicated store that held merchandise related to the exhibition. The Museum welcomed 4,000 new members and 13,000 group visitors, the majority of which were nursing students, biology classes, and advanced science classes. Through a partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, the Museum gave away 500 bike helmets during a series of events focused on safety and injury prevention. 

Guests were awestruck by the dynamics and complexity of the human body and brain. One guest called Body Worlds the most incredible and moving exhibit she had ever seen, leaving her both emotional and grateful to the people who donated their bodies. Another guest commented about learning much more in really observing the full bodies, systems and specimens in the exhibition, rather than in traditional learning settings. Guests repeatedly called the exhibition "awesome, intriguing, beautiful and insightful."

Body Worlds & the Brain included more than 150 authentic human specimens — including entire bodies, individual organs, and transparent body slices — preserved through plastination, Gunther von Hagens' revolutionary preservation method. Through respectful, aesthetic, and often very moving displays, Body Worlds & the Brain invited both intensive study and profound reflection on the power, beauty, and fragility of the amazing human body and brain.

"We are thrilled with the results of Body Worlds & the Brain and we truly enjoyed welcoming visitors from all over Virginia," says Richard C. Conti.

Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond VA 23220 www.smv.org

Science Museum of Virginia
Media Contact: Nancy Tait
804.864.1407
[email protected]

SOURCE Science Museum of Virginia