FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 30, 2006

Highlands Museum & Discovery Center Reopens with Resounding Results

ASHLAND – Thursday evening at 7 pm, February 9, 2006, the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center , 1620 Winchester Ave , Ashland , KY , opens its newly renovated main floor. This $300,000 project was spearheaded by Murphy/Catton of Walton , KY. Following a community wide capital campaign and four months of construction, the Cecil Fannin Family Special Events and Exhibits Hall shares space with the Kentucky Farmers Bank Conference Room and the Mary Jo Burton Heritage Wall. A glass walled gift shop gleams amidst a new visitor friendly entry way, admission desk, storage area and donor wall.

The opening celebrates the completion of the renovation project and showcases the way that this new space will be used. Following the ribbon cutting, the opening stanzas of Black History Celebration 2006 will resound with African American choruses from across the tri-state in a gospel music salute to February and Black History Month.

A public reception is planned for the opening and admission is free to the public.

In partnership with schools and community, the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center attracts and educates both youth and adults from around the Tri-State and across the nation. It preserves history and provides a dynamic resource and an integral contribution to the region's quality of life. The museum attracts more than 21,000 visitors each year, and more than 10,000 children attend special activities – workshops, camps, exhibits, events. An additional 1,800 students are reached by the museum's outreach programs at area schools.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and Mondays by appointment. Admission is $4 for adults, and $3.50 for seniors, students and children. Members and children under 2 are free.

For more information, call (606) 329-8888, email us at info@highlandsmuseum.com or highlandsmuseum@yahoo.com , www.highlandsmuseum.com .

Contact: Nancy R. Smith, Executive Director

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