The Flint Hills Discovery Center, the newest museum in Kansas, will host a Cornerstone Dedication Ceremony and tour today at its location in Manhattan, Kan.
Celebrating the near completion of the museum, the Grand Lodge of Kansas Masons will parade to the site for placement of the cornerstone on the building. The ceremony will include comments from Manhattan Mayor James Sherow and Wildlife, Parks and Tourism State Secretary Robin Jennison. The Northview Elementary singers will also perform “Home on the Range,” and a procession will follow the event.
The new Kansas landmark museum will showcase and inspire people to explore and care for the Flint Hills, a historic band of hills in eastern Kansas created about 250 million years ago. The $18.5 million construction project began in July of last year. The museum will open to the public in April of 2012.
Located in Manhattan’s new South End Downtown Redevelopment, the 34,900-square-foot center, built by Kansas City-based McCownGordon Construction, includes a lobby, museum store, core exhibit areas, flexible temporary exhibit areas, an immersive theater, community rooms, exhibit support areas and an outdoor park.
“This dynamic facility is another successful stride toward the redevelopment of downtown Manhattan,” said Ramin Cherafat, vice president for McCownGordon Construction. “We are proud to continue the successful partnership we have established with the City and the Flint Hills Discovery Center, helping to offer the community and regional visitors an iconic museum celebrating history.”
