The Owensboro Museum of Science and History will be closed on Monday and Tuesday each week through at least the end of the year as it receives major infrastructure renovations, according to Executive Director Kathy Olson.
Olson said that the Kentucky General Assembly allocated $1.1 million to the museum with House Bill 1, and the funds will be available in July. She said they were given clearance to start early on the renovations, resulting in some preliminary modifications to the space.
The budget noted that there are 12 infrastructural projects, but Olson would not disclose the specific projects as of Wednesday.
Some of the visible changes can be seen from Daviess Street, as the overlook tube in the Playseum has come down, and construction crews have a trash shute that closed the sidewalk.
“We are making some renovations in the Playseum. That’s the first thing,” Olson said, decling to address the other projects at this time. “We will announce what those projects are later. But they all have to do with the improvements on the inside and outside of the building.”
Olson said the new hours of operation will be in effect through at least the calendar year. The museum was already closed on Mondays. By being closed Tuesdays as well, Olson said, the construction crew will be able to work on projects more freely.
“The crew can finish up smaller projects in those two days. It just gives them a little bit more freedom to work throughout the building; some of these projects require the power to be turned off,” Olson said.
The museum will still be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday each week.
Olson said the museum’s short-term future will likely involve more closures sporadically throughout the construction timeline.
“In this particular phase, for the next 6 months to a year, we just encourage people to keep an eye on our Facebook, website, and the electronic sign as to any other closings that we might have — and openings for that matter,” Olson said.
Ultimately, Olson said the renovations will be beneficial for everyone as this is the first major upgrade to the building in several years.
“This will be the best solution as far as keeping our patrons. It’s a day lost for them, but the other days that we’re open should be smoother because of it,” Olson said.
With the changes to the building, Olson said guests can expect to find more outdoor events throughout the summer which will be announced in their full schedule in the coming weeks.
