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Information & Latest News
Love’s gives science museum $1M (http://journalrecord.com/2011/12/05/love%E2%80%99s-gives-science-museum-1m-nonprofit/)
By Brianna Bailey
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 07:27 PM Monday, December 5, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY – Love’s Travel Stops has donated $1 million to the Science Museum Oklahoma. The donation will go toward $30 million in campus and exhibit upgrades the museum is planning over the next five years. The improvements include an eye-catching, modern new museum main entrance designed by Oklahoma City architect Rand Elliott and a major ...
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Website (http://www.sciencemuseumok.org/)
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Love's kicks off Science Museum Oklahoma fundraising campaign with $1M gift
BY CARRIE COPPERNOLL
Published: December 6, 2011

Love's Travel Stops announced a $1 million donation Monday morning to help kick off a capital campaign and $30 million renovation of Science Museum Oklahoma.

A $30 million renovation plan calls for the entrance of Science Museum Oklahoma to be rebuilt into an eye-catching attraction. Photo BY DAVID McDANIEL, THE OKLAHOMAN


Love's kicks off Science Museum Oklahoma fundraising campaign with $1M gift
The donation will be the start of the renovation to the museum entrance and the addition of a permanent exhibit aimed at introducing young children to science, museum officials said at a news conference.


Read more: http://newsok.com/loves-kicks-off-science-museum-oklahoma-fundraising-campaign-with-1m-gift/article/3629548#ixzz1flmyleMi

Good lord is it desperately needed.

I think the front entrance looks pretty good already. IMO, it's the rest of the north facade to the west that is terrible.

The interior of that entire facility is especially ghastly. It's almost as if it's intended to be the world's largest exhibit of 1970s industrial airport hanger architecture.

Yes, it was built cheaply to get lots of space for not many $. It has served its primary purpose but sure is ugly.

Yes, it was built cheaply to get lots of space for not many $. It has served its primary purpose but sure is ugly.

Thomas concrete products spit out way too much back in the early '80's.

Science Museum Oklahoma is preparing to announce a significant grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.

The museum has scheduled a 10 a.m. Tuesday news conference to note the grant and formally kick off its $25 million capital campaign.


Science Museum Oklahoma to announce grant | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/science-museum-oklahoma-to-announce-grant/article/3748079)

I wonder what the folks who've been promoting a children's museum in the old Stage Center space think about this development. or if they'll be involved in the planning & operation of this new museum in any way.

Science Museum Oklahoma to build 21,000-square-foot children's exhibit | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/science-museum-oklahoma-to-build-21000-square-foot-childrens-exhibit/article/3748088)

Outstanding! One of my girls worked there/volunteered there while still in school.

Another article from News 9.

$12 Million Grant To Help Expand, Upgrade Science Museum In OK - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/20652247/12-million-grant-to-help-expand-upgrade-science-museum-oklahoma)

I'll say it since no one in the media has... it's a shame that the $22 million they are on track to raise didn't go to the children's museum proposal that would have saved Stage Center.

I'll say it since no one in the media has... it's a shame that the $22 million they are on track to raise didn't go to the children's museum proposal that would have saved Stage Center.

While that might have been nice, why would the media say that in reporting a story?

I'll say it since no one in the media has... it's a shame that the $22 million they are on track to raise didn't go to the children's museum proposal that would have saved Stage Center.

A major obstacle for any Stage Center retrofit is it is so specifically designed to be a theater it is terribly suited for anything else, the vast majority of the square footage is concrete terraces for seating at a 35+ degree pitch, some of which look like they could be load bearing.

Having already said my buh byes to SC ever coming back, I have to disagree with the notion it's a shame the funds being raised aren't available to save SC. If memory serves, estimate to make the SC property functional again exceeded 26 mil. However, 22 mil buys a functional children's museum and a bit more under the current fundraising plan for the existing museum expansion.

If applied to SC, the same 22 mil wouldn't even get the building to a point the doors could open to the public as empty, unused space. Given the extreme disrepair that SC was permitted to reach, the shame would be to drop 22 mil and have not a lot to show for the effort.

Has anybody been to the Science Museum? It looks pretty interesting. It's been a while since I've visited a planetarium.

home | Science Museum Oklahoma (http://www.sciencemuseumok.org/)

At one time they had a chunck of the Berlin Wall in there, plus all kinds of cool aircraft and space related artifacts.

I defiantly need to visit the place then. I'm just a big kid lol

My husband and I went there just a few weeks ago. It was really fun. We didn't get to do everything though so we'll be going back sometime. I love hands-on exhibits and this place has tons of them. I enjoyed it more than the zoo-- less walking and more things to do.

At one time they had a chunck of the Berlin Wall in there, plus all kinds of cool aircraft and space related artifacts.

I remember that. It was actually a replica. I volunteered there in 1998 while in 8th grade and noticed that the picture of the actual wall had the art work reversed from the displayed exhibit.

I remember that. It was actually a replica. I volunteered there in 1998 while in 8th grade and noticed that the picture of the actual wall had the art work reversed from the displayed exhibit.

I really don't think it was a replica. Robert Hefner contracted to buy it as it was being removed, had it on display in Aspen, Co the following summer, then donated it permanently to the Kirkpatrick Foundation. IIRC. But I could be wrong - anybody know ????

The Berlin Wall at the science museum, It's the real deal -

The Hefner Collection (http://hefnercollection.com/thehefnercollection/portfolio.otherart.asp?artistID=20&artistOrder=1)

The Berlin Wall at the science museum, It's the real deal -

The Hefner Collection (http://hefnercollection.com/thehefnercollection/portfolio.otherart.asp?artistID=20&artistOrder=1)

That's awesome. That means either my memory is way off or I was told wrong; I honestly don't remember at this point. Good to hear that it was real though.

or the image on the picture was reversed.

or the image on the picture was reversed.

That's possible. I feel certain that it was the panels themselves were backward. Can't say that holds much stock though, I may have just been wrong the whole time. Wouldn't be the first time.

As for the museum itself, I think they are doing a great job of keeping it "fresh" and updating different parts. My kids love going there and that will be the one thing they miss the most when we move this summer. We've had a pass there for the last 6 years or so.

That's awesome. That means either my memory is way off or I was told wrong; I honestly don't remember at this point. Good to hear that it was real though.

It is possible they did some replicas later but the sections I saw there said they were originals that were touring several museums across the country, possibly there was some other items with the wall that were replicas.

At some point in the pre-Remington Park past wasn't the name Kilpatrick (or Kirkpatrick) associated with this marvel of exhibitionism?
(and i mean Exhibitionism in the very best sense of that term. no kidding, no joke)
"The Omniplex" was even better, then, than the Oklahoma City Museum of Art is now. =)

Translation: Do Not Fail To Visit That Place Over On 50th--Next to The OKC Zoo.
(i hesitate to say it . . . but the improvements "up there" have even surpassed those in Bricktown)

OK . . . I'll admit it: [The Omniplex/Science Museum] has always been my favorite place to spend time about once a year. Right next to time spent at the Arts Festival Downtown. I hope that the "Japanese" Gravel Garden, next to the Greenhouse hasn't been "improved upon" by removing it. (Shoot . . . Last time I was there, they had a danged ol' japanese concrete sculpture idol from a "sister city" over there in the middle of a whole lotta pebbles and rocks that only needed to be raked . . . never watered! =)

not to mention that model train display, the photography area and the "air/space" collection.

At some point in the pre-Remington Park past wasn't the name Kilpatrick (or Kirkpatrick) associated with this marvel of exhibitionism?
(and i mean Exhibitionism in the very best sense of that term. no kidding, no joke)
"The Omniplex" was even better, then, than the Oklahoma City Museum of Art is now. =)

Translation: Do Not Fail To Visit That Place Over On 50th--Next to The OKC Zoo.
(i hesitate to say it . . . but the improvements "up there" have even surpassed those in Bricktown)

OK . . . I'll admit it: [The Omniplex/Science Museum] has always been my favorite place to spend time about once a year. Right next to time spent at the Arts Festival Downtown. I hope that the "Japanese" Gravel Garden, next to the Greenhouse hasn't been "improved upon" by removing it. (Shoot . . . Last time I was there, they had a danged ol' japanese concrete sculpture idol from a "sister city" over there in the middle of a whole lotta pebbles and rocks that only needed to be raked . . . never watered! =)

not to mention that model train display, the photography area and the "air/space" collection.

The planetarium is known as the Kirkpatrick Planetarium.

A bunch of renderings from Rand Elliott.

Not sure where the renovation and improvement plans stand:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5427d1387220924-science-museum-oklahoma-1-1-.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5429d1387220926-science-museum-oklahoma-3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5430d1387220926-science-museum-oklahoma-4.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5431d1387220928-science-museum-oklahoma-5.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5428d1387220925-science-museum-oklahoma-2.jpg

By that rendering they're going to paint the omnidome white, huh? So it was red when it was built (wasn't it?), then was painted blue, now will be white...

Ugh, what a waste of money.

It's not particularly attractive, but I like the idea of lighting features for the building.

There is only so much you can do with solid tilt-up concrete walls.

They need to do something about the inside of this place. It's looking rundown.

They need to do something about the inside of this place. It's looking rundown.

Honestly, the whole thing looks like it did when I was 8 years old... No bueno. Totally needs an update.

They are in the process of a $25 million campaign to redo the entire facility, not just the outside.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5435d1387226231-science-museum-oklahoma-sc1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5436d1387226232-science-museum-oklahoma-sc2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5437d1387226233-science-museum-oklahoma-sc3.jpg

That's good to see. Be a good place to take my sister and her kids to next time they come to town. My nephew probably wouldn't want to leave, lol.

That's awesome. The OmniPlex was pretty cool back in the '90s but it hasn't changed much since then and has become almost an embarrassment. This will be a much needed update and I'm looking forward to seeing the final product.

Honestly, the whole thing looks like it did when I was 8 years old... No bueno. Totally needs an update.

My 4 year old loves this place, which means that since I moved to Oklahoma I've been in the museum twice a month on average. So I'm something of a connoisseur of Science Museum Oklahoma. And as such, let me say that there have been quite a few modernizations. The art gallery area is always pretty interesting, the upstairs shapes/playground area is cool and has some interesting interactives, there is a brand new interactive physics exhibit across from the tree playground downastairs, (speaking of which) the tree playground itself is pretty rad, etc. Of course large parts still feel like 1983: the space exhibit, the planes and train spaces, the outdoor area near the cafeteria etc. So of course I am excited about the updating, but part of me takes offense at the disparaging tone of the people who say the museum is run down/outdated. It is my obsrvation that this tone comes primarily from people that don't really go there.

That being said, my wish list for SMO is that they get more frequent turnover of IMAX films and that they create a space for hihg-profile travelling exhibits like Bodyworks/Terra Cotta Warriors/Archaeopteryx/etc.

My 4 year old loves this place, which means that since I moved to Oklahoma I've been in the museum twice a month on average. So I'm something of a connoisseur of Science Museum Oklahoma. And as such, let me say that there have been quite a few modernizations. The art gallery area is always pretty interesting, the upstairs shapes/playground area is cool and has some interesting interactives, there is a brand new interactive physics exhibit across from the tree playground downastairs, (speaking of which) the tree playground itself is pretty rad, etc. Of course large parts still feel like 1983: the space exhibit, the planes and train spaces, the outdoor area near the cafeteria etc. So of course I am excited about the updating, but part of me takes offense at the disparaging tone of the people who say the museum is run down/outdated. It is my obsrvation that this tone comes primarily from people that don't really go there.

That being said, my wish list for SMO is that they get more frequent turnover of IMAX films and that they create a space for hihg-profile travelling exhibits like Bodyworks/Terra Cotta Warriors/Archaeopteryx/etc.

Last time I was there was in September of 2012. The time before that was in 2004 on a school trip from Arkansas. The time before that was probably the year 2000. Nothing had really changed over all three visits that I noticed. I did notice how run down and outdated some of the exhibits had become though. I am not doubting there has been little things updated over the years but the museum as a whole has a very early '90s feel to it. This renovation will be much welcome.

As for the IMAX, I wonder if it still gets very many visitors? It was built back before first-run films were shown on IMAX and was a huge deal for OKC. I remember there being long waits to go see movies there when it opened. I still think the educational documentaries are cool and enjoy seeing films on it.

Last time I was there was in September of 2012. The time before that was in 2004 on a school trip from Arkansas. The time before that was probably the year 2000. Nothing had really changed over all three visits that I noticed. I did notice how run down and outdated some of the exhibits had become though. I am not doubting there has been little things updated over the years but the museum as a whole has a very early '90s feel to it. This renovation will be much welcome.

As for the IMAX, I wonder if it still gets very many visitors? It was built back before first-run films were shown on IMAX and was a huge deal for OKC. I remember there being long waits to go see movies there when it opened. I still think the educational documentaries are cool and enjoy seeing films on it.

It's a dome... So it isn't just a typical IMAX theater.

Last time I was there was in September of 2012. The time before that was in 2004 on a school trip from Arkansas. The time before that was probably the year 2000. Nothing had really changed over all three visits that I noticed. I did notice how run down and outdated some of the exhibits had become though. I am not doubting there has been little things updated over the years but the museum as a whole has a very early '90s feel to it. This renovation will be much welcome.

As for the IMAX, I wonder if it still gets very many visitors? It was built back before first-run films were shown on IMAX and was a huge deal for OKC. I remember there being long waits to go see movies there when it opened. I still think the educational documentaries are cool and enjoy seeing films on it.

Duplicate post

It's actually called an 'Omnidome'. We went and saw a movie about 'Rescuers', about 6 months ago. Last month we went back and they still had the same show on... I asked and they told me they only have two movies a year...like they don't change but every 6 months.. bummer.

It's actually called an 'Omnidome'. We went and saw a movie about 'Rescuers', about 6 months ago. Last month we went back and they still had the same show on... I asked and they told me they only have two movies a year...like they don't change but every 6 months.. bummer.

When the theater first opened they had more than one movie playing depending on the time of day and they rotated pretty frequently. That's pretty sad if they only have one movie now every six months. They need more movies and better promotion. Is the museum privately owned or is it owned by the city or state?

I would actually like to see this building turned into a world class aviation museum and a new Science Museum built in the C2S area. The new science museum should be built to be better than the one Dallas, OKC can do it!

I would actually like to see this building turned into a world class aviation museum and a new Science Museum built in the C2S area. The new science museum should be built to be better than the one Dallas, OKC can do it!

It won't be moved. plupan. It's in a perfect setting next to the zoo and the zoo won't be moved either.

It won't be moved. plupan. It's in a perfect setting next to the zoo and the zoo won't be moved either.I don't think the Zoo should be moved. The Zoo is in a great location. I just think it would be nice to have a brand new science museum in the C2S area. We could build ours to be bigger and better than the one in Dallas. Not only would it spur massive high quality development along with the central park, it would bring more people into downtown and help it become even more of an attraction and if we turned the Kirkpatrick Center into a full world class Aviation museum, it could be one of the largest and have it's own movie theatre dedicated to aviation movies and documentaries. This would be a true destination for hardcore aviation lovers and we would have new world class, amazing science museum located right off of our new I-40 Crosstown. It is a win-win for everyone.

I don't think the Zoo should be moved. The Zoo is in a great location. I just think it would be nice to have a brand new science museum in the C2S area. We could build ours to be bigger and better than the one in Dallas. Not only would it spur massive high quality development along with the central park, it would bring more people into downtown and help it become even more of an attraction and if we turned the Kirkpatrick Center into a full world class Aviation museum, it could be one of the largest and have it's own movie theatre dedicated to aviation movies and documentaries. This would be a true destination for hardcore aviation lovers and we would have new world class, amazing science museum located right off of our new I-40 Crosstown. It is a win-win for everyone.
No, having all of the current museums and the zoo together are perfect. I'm not saying it can't be improved, just that no relocation is necessary.

Well, then we just disagree on that.

The Science Museum can be an awesome downtown attraction. Most other cities I've lived in and visited do have their science museums downtown. That said, there is likely little chance of our science museum getting moved if they are spending this kind of money on renovating the existing location. OKC should work on attracting a museum of some sort downtown, other than the banjo museum.

I don't think the Zoo should be moved. The Zoo is in a great location. I just think it would be nice to have a brand new science museum in the C2S area. We could build ours to be bigger and better than the one in Dallas. Not only would it spur massive high quality development along with the central park, it would bring more people into downtown and help it become even more of an attraction and if we turned the Kirkpatrick Center into a full world class Aviation museum, it could be one of the largest and have it's own movie theatre dedicated to aviation movies and documentaries. This would be a true destination for hardcore aviation lovers and we would have new world class, amazing science museum located right off of our new I-40 Crosstown. It is a win-win for everyone.

Well there was that proposal to turn Stage Center into a children's museum. The Arts Council was open to it, but no money ever materialized to make it happen. If that plan couldn't come to fruition I don't think the prospects for your proposal are too shiny either.

I don't mind keeping the "adventure" in the adventure district, especially if it's eventually connected to the core via rail. While I would prefer a Children's museum downtown due to the upcoming elementary, and the children's garden, etc, I would also be okay with it going in the adventure district, with the rail connectivity as a contingency (heck make it part of the budget to get it done sooner), though one would then have to ask what the difference was between SMO and a future Children's museum if they were both in the adventure district. I do agree that the function of a science museum fits perfectly well downtown (I grew up in Philly where we had the Franklin Institute [now apparently referred to as "The Franklin"]), but I'm okay with it being where it is. It would be hard to replicate its scale downtown without probably using some blocks that would be better for something else. Also, while I wish we would more openly celebrate Wheeler as the original zoo location (with some statues/public art/plaques, etc), I think the zoo is at home where it is. Is there a zoo somewhere that is "downtown"? I've been to at least 15 zoos nationally and can't think of one that is.

Downtown needs a world class Aquarium IMO. I'm not sure if the one in Downtown Dallas is considered "World Class", But something like that in Downtown OKC would be a VERY NICE ADDITION and also VERY successful.

Well there was that proposal to turn Stage Center into a children's museum. The Arts Council was open to it, but no money ever materialized to make it happen. If that plan couldn't come to fruition I don't think the prospects for your proposal are too shiny either.

The first problem with that proposal was it was a group trying to save the building by grasping any straw they could. A much more functional, attractive, flexibly laid out, not prone to flooding building could be built brand new for a fraction of the cost.

Downtown needs a world class Aquarium IMO. I'm not sure if the one in Downtown Dallas is considered "World Class", But something like that in Downtown OKC would be a VERY NICE ADDITION and also VERY successful.

I agree. Downtown OKC needs a major museum of some sort. Little chance of it being the Science Museum being that they are putting so much money into it in its current location. It would be cool to have something there though. An aquarium would be perfect. The Core 2 Shore area seems like it would be ripe for such a thing.

I agree. Downtown OKC needs a major museum of some sort. Little chance of it being the Science Museum being that they are putting so much money into it in its current location. It would be cool to have something there though. An aquarium would be perfect. The Core 2 Shore area seems like it would be ripe for such a thing.

OCMOA. Check it out. It's amazing.

The remodeled Journal Record, old downtown post office, or the old Federal Reserve building would make a great home.

Does anybody know if any upgrades have begun at the Science Museum? It was discussed a while back that a $30 million makeover was going to happen but I haven't heard much about that since.

Does anybody know if any upgrades have begun at the Science Museum? It was discussed a while back that a $30 million makeover was going to happen but I haven't heard much about that since.

Coming soon. | Science Museum Oklahoma (http://www.sciencemuseumok.org/content/construction-updates)