Big splash for Aquarium, big underlying changes at Hall of State.
You may not recognize The Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park in the near future, at least on the inside. And the Hall of State has started some behind-the-scenes renovations that visitors will certainly appreciate.
Hall of State gets ready to preserve itself.
It has protected many a document and artifact of Texas. But now the Hall of State building must protect itself—inside and out—for the future. As the museum undergoes Phase I of its renovation, visitors may not readily see the changes. But these major improvements will allow people to enjoy the grand building for many more years.
“Phase 1 of the renovation project will focus on the building’s infrastructure,” states Pam Lane, Interim Executive Director. “Existing roofing will be replaced, and current skylights will be re-glazed with laminated glass. This will provide UV protection to limit fading of the beautiful murals depicting the character and history of Texas.”
“Mechanical improvements involve replacing air handling and cooling systems. Among the electrical enhancements is installation of new wiring panels.”
Renovations will keep Hall of State a masterpiece.
While the current phase will not include any cosmetic restorations, an improved infrastructure will maintain the integrity of the building. There are three planned phases of renovation. Phase 1 should be complete before the 2009 State Fair of Texas; then work on the building exterior will commence with Phase 2. With the completion of Phase 3, the Hall of State will be restored to its original grandeur, inside and out.
“My staff and I are enchanted by the magnificence of the Hall of State,” related Ms. Lane. “We are extremely grateful to the City Council and the people of Dallas who approved the City Bond Package, which will fund the renovation.” Visit the Hall of State website.
Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park is about to make big waves with kids.
The underwater center of Fair Park is going undercover for a while. Inside the ‘cocoon’ of the Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park, a huge transformation will be taking place. The museum will close until Spring, 2010 and then emerge as…The Dallas Children’s Aquarium!
Wonderfully engaging and interactive, the Dallas Children’s Aquarium will be about touching, feeling and experiencing underwater creatures. “Everything about the transformed museum will be fun for young and old visitors,” says Brian Potvin, Aquarium Curator. “Instead of just looking at tanks, you can actually be part of the experience.”
Hands-on excitement, here we come.
Enter the lobby and encounter a Coastal Touch Pool, filled with unique and colorful intertidal invertebrates, such as sea urchins and sea stars from rocky coastal areas around the world. “Children will pick them up and squeal with delight and wonder,” believes Mr. Potvin. “They can even participate in feeding.”
Then it’s time to get immersed in the aquarium’s ‘Greatest Hits’ collection. “We’ve got lots of audience favorites here,” comments Mr. Potvin. “Snapping turtles, seahorses and a giant Pacific octopus that’s over 100 lbs. and the size of a small Volkswagen!”
The museum is also exploring something huge – the addition of a 50,000-gallon shark tank (currently the museum’s largest exhibit is 7,000 gallons) and a stingray touch tank. There would be different types of sharks to mesmerize visitors of all ages.
Greater emphasis on learning about and saving marine species.
New interactive galleries will create educational opportunities within the aquarium. These will be geared toward the curriculum of area school districts. The museum is also adding depth from a conservation standpoint. “On view will be specimens of endangered coral that were rescued from the wild in Puerto Rico,” explains Mr. Potvin. “Using captive cultivation techniques in an aquarium can help such coral survive and thrive.”
The Dallas Aquarium will guarantee hours of underwater fun when it re-opens as The Dallas Children’s Aquarium…and this time it’s personal. Says Brian Potvin, “You will be touching. You will be feeding. And yes, you probably will get wet!”
Stay tuned for more information, and be sure to visit the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park web page at the Dallas Zoo web site.
