After years in the making, the Chattanooga History Center is now more than 75 percent complete.
The final phase of the project just got underway.
By this time next year visitors will be able to have a unique experience in Chattanooga's history... right on the riverfront.
The Chattanooga History Center aims to bring local history to life inside a 10 point five million dollar facility right in the heart of downtown's biggest attractions...at the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza.
Rick Sobel, Designer, "This is a museum for anybody to kind of come into off the street. Get your hamburger. Sit in the plaza, then come up to the museum to learn about the history, learn about why does Chattanooga look the way it does today. That's a very important lesson.">
So important, donors have now given nearly $8 million dollars toward the $10 million dollar campaign.
With the design and media production completed, the project is now in its final phase...which includes re-construction of the building and putting the exhibits in place.
Rick Montague, Chattanooga History Museum Campaign Co Chair, "This will be one of the most sophisticated digitally oriented museums to be built in the united states."
And the folks behind the history center tells us it will tell the history of the United States...through the lens of Chattanooga's story.
Dr. Daryl Black, Chattanooga History Center, "We think that we've come up with a new way of doing an American history museum. We think that it's an exciting model because it doesn't just say 'Gee we have a great history !' it says people have made this place and they continue to make this place and now you have a responsibility for making this place."
The Chattanooga History Center is shooting for a grand opening in time for the Sesquicentennial Celebration next year.
The New York firm that's designing the center also worked on some of the top museums in the country including... The Holocaust Museum and Congressional Visitors Center in Washington, DC, the Constitution Center in Philadelphia and the NASCAR and Country Music Halls of Fame.
Click here to learn more about the Chattanooga History Center and the campaign to raise the remaining $2.5 million.
