The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has granted a two-week extension to the Gulf Coast Exploreum allowing the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit to be on display longer than first scheduled. The new closing date is May 8.
To date, the exhibit has been seen by more than 130,000 visitors, which is a record-breaking attendance rate for the Exploreum.
“Due to the overwhelming success of the exhibition, the IAA wanted to give potential visitors an extra 14 days to see scrolls which rarely leave Israel,” said Michael Sullivan, Exploreum executive director.
Demand for tickets is increasing daily as the original close date of April 24 approaches. The gallery is operating at a 90 to 95 percent capacity almost every hour of the day. The extension releases an additional 40,000 tickets for sale and opens the exhibit for two more weekends.
The exhibit is the first appearance ever of the oldest copies of the Bible in the traditional Bible Belt of the nation. If offers to area residents an inspirational experience.
Philip Bland and Mary Boutwell Grant, members of First Baptist Church, Union Springs, even elected to marry in the biblical scrolls gallery of the exhibit on April 9. The couple toured the exhibit with a group from the church following the ceremony.
“It is because of our spiritual convictions that we were led to come and do this,” Bland said.
For more information about the exhibit, call 1-877-377-7469 or visit www.scrollsmobile.com.
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