I recently learned that our local new mega mall, the "Ontario Mills",will
include not only an iWERKS theater, but a for-profit natural history
museum called "The American Wilderness Experience."  It will be an
indoor, recreated wilderness exhibit complete with some live animals, a
second smaller movie theater ("The Adventure Simulator"), gift shop and
restaurant (where you can dine underneath the recreated Sequoia).
They will provide a 2-hour entertainment opportunity that interprets
the natural history of California--our mountains, deserts, valleys,
and coast.  Costs per person will be something like $6.75 for kids, $7.75
for adults.

Apparently, the Ogden Entertainment company (which also makes fuzzy
endangered species dolls and develops IMAX theaters), liked a for-profit
museum started just outside of Yellowstone National Park, and is taking
the concept nation-wide.  I think they're headed for Texas, next.

I remember we had a few messages sometime back about for-profit museums.
I'd be curious to know if anyone else knows anything about Ogden
Entertainment or any other developing commercial museum ventures.
--
Richard M. Chute
Director of Development
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
1500 N. College Avenue                          Phone:  (909) 625-8767
Claremont, CA  91711                            FAX:    (909) 626-7670
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