A related article...
'Bursting at the seams.' Strong National Museum of Play is expanding, adding new exhibits and more:
https://www.democratandchronicle.com...e/69503253007/
For those that can't read the article: "The Strong National Museum of Play is transforming and increasing in size by almost a third to feature additional exhibits, a new atrium, outdoor play garden, admissions area and gift shop.
While the museum continues operations amid construction, the 90,000-square-foot expansion is expected to be unboxed in the early summer of 2023, and is stacking up to cost more than $65 million.
Why will the Museum of Play expand?
New toys are being created every day, said Steve Dubnik, the museum's president and CEO.
"We are bursting at the seams," he said, "and continue to add thousands of items in our collections per year."
And with a whopping 520,000 items related to play in the museum's holdings, the expansion will allow for an additional 7,000 square feet of compact storage.
The volume of visits also has increased. In 2019, the museum welcomed 600,000 visitors — its largest annual attendance to date — compared with 516,398 in 2015. It became apparent that expanding the museum's footprint to welcome a larger audience made sense, said Dubnik.
What is part of Rochester's Neighborhood of Play?
Adventure Place is a newly constructed street that adjoins the Neighborhood of Play and connects nearby arterial concourses, Union and Chestnut streets. The driveway that once led to an asphalt parking lot behind the museum, is now the beginning of the nascent two-way thoroughfare, complete with public street side parking, and a section that can be converted into event space for festivals and entertainment.
VIDA, the newly built mixed-use complex that lines the route, has 239 fully-occupied apartments.
Nerdvana gaming bar, which is under construction, and Fattey Beer Co. are both set to open in October. These establishments sit in close proximity to what will become a tour bus loop and an admissions entrance of the museum.
On the southeast corner of the street, Hampton Inn & Suites, another long-awaited addition is slated to open in early 2023.
Total cost of Neighborhood of Play construction, a partnership between the Museum, Konar Properties and Indus Hospitality Group, is about $135 million.
What will be new to the Museum of Play through the expansion?
Video games have become a larger part of how people play. Although there are current gaming exhibits at the museum, those set to debut will be immersive and interactive to celebrate the impact of gaming.
Up a grand staircase and above the new atrium and a dazzling 3D printed butterfly canopy exhibit, visitors will find two new large spaces called "Level Up" and "High Score." The combined 25,000-square-foot area is sponsored by ESL Credit Union and will be known as "Digital World."
"This is the opportunity to tell the story about the things that have changed in play, electronic games. Augmented reality and virtual reality give us an opportunity to see what is coming next in the world of play. These are very forward thinking exhibitions," said Shane Rhinewald, Senior Director of Public Relations for the museum.
"Level Up" will offer an immersive experience. Visitors will create an avatar a "virtual you" to play interactive games that will record and report experience points and how well a player is doing as they travel through the game.
"High Score" is a video game hall of fame exhibit that includes:
- An 88-foot digital timeline of the history of video games.
- Interactives, historical artifacts and new exhibits that will explore business, society, technology, music and art.
- The first chip plot from the Atari game and a placard from the protests that happened in front of the U.S. Supreme Court about video games in the 1980s, and more.
The "Women and Games" exhibit, contributions of women in gaming, which is now in a main building hallway will find residency there, too.
On the far side of the museum, a Hasbro Game park is being constructed. The 17,000-square-foot outdoor exhibit focuses on Hasbro favorites, such as Candy Land, Simon, Game of Life, Jenga and Monopoly. The Dungeons and Dragons homage includes a fire-breathing dragon because, of course.
What food options will be available at the Museum of Play?
The cafeteria that currently houses franchise establishments will undergo reconstruction to enlarge the space.
No longer will families stand in line to order separate meals in a food court. The museum's new in-house food service model will liken to a buffet with a variety of selections. There will be coffee options, too.
Will the Museum of Play's admission price increase?
The future price of admission is still in discussion. But given that there will be more to do and a much larger space, an increase is likely, said Rhinewald.
"The current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) entry price will remain as is at $5," he said. According to the museum's website, EBT cardholders with photo ID can take advantage of the discount for themselves and three guests.
Play is extraordinarily important to human development. Children begin learning through play, interacting with others through peekaboo or hide and seek.
"We are the only museum dedicated to the preservation and study of play and its impact on the individual on culture and society, and we are currently the top cultural attraction in Western, New York," said Dubnik.
"There isn't anything like it anywhere else in the world."
All permanent attractions are expected to remain, such as Wegmans Super Kids Market, Play Pals, the carousel and train, Play Lab, Skyline Climb, Butterfly Garden, Toys Hall of Fame and Reading Adventureland."
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