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For Immediate Release

Media may contact: Seth M. Hopkins
Executive Director, Georgia Museums, Inc.
770-387-1300, ext. 239
World Class Science Museum to Open in Cartersville in 2008

Tellus – the Northwest Georgia Science Museum – to Feature Digital Planetarium,

Dinosaurs, Expanded Mineral Gallery, and Interactive Science Exhibits

Cartersville, Georgia: On June 10, Georgia Museums, Inc. will hold groundbreaking
ceremonies for Tellus – the Northwest Georgia Science Museum – in Cartersville. The
11:00 a.m. ceremony will be held on the grounds of the Weinman Mineral Museum as part
of Rockfest 2006, one of the largest annual mineral and fossil events in the Southeast.
When completed in 2008, Tellus will occupy more than 125,000 square feet and feature
galleries devoted to minerals, fossils, transportation technology, and hands-on science
experiences. Tellus will also house the only fully digital planetarium in North Georgia
regularly open to the public.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, State School Superintendent Kathy Cox, and Georgia
Commissioner of Economic Development Craig Lesser have all been invited to take part
in the groundbreaking event. Also participating in the event will be representatives of the
McNitt, Weinman, and Mayo families, who are longtime supporters of the Weinman
Museum. During the groundbreaking ceremony Weinman Museum Director Jose
Santamaria will outline the plans for the new facility.
Funds needed to cover the cost of land acquisition and building construction totaling
twelve million dollars have already been secured through a lead gift. A capital
campaign to raise an additional six million dollars needed to cover the cost of exhibition
design and fabrication, artifact acquisition, technology installation, and laboratory
equipment will be officially announced during the groundbreaking by Tellus
Development Director Adam Wade.

Tellus is sited on approximately 50 acres of property adjacent to I-75 at U.S. Highway

411 (exit 293) in Cartersville, Georgia. The site currently houses the Weinman Mineral
Museum, which will be absorbed into the new facility. Hands-on science programs
currently offered through the Resource Center in downtown Cartersville will also be
absorbed into Tellus. Currently these two facilities present school programs for over
20,000 students per year from more than 35 counties. Tellus will be able to
accommodate up to 50,000 students per year. Estimated general attendance during the
first year of operation is expected to top 100,000.
The new museum will fill a need for science exploration and education in the fast growing
communities of northwest Georgia, including metro Atlanta. The programs and
exhibitions at Tellus will be designed to help combat current trends showing a lack of
student achievement in science. By engaging students at an early age and encouraging an
interest in math and science, Tellus staffers also hope to reverse the declining number of
students entering college to pursue math, engineering and science degrees.

Tellus will occupy an architecturally unique building, developed by Frank Bergman of

the Bergman Group, Miami, Florida, and John White of Inox Design, Marietta, Georgia.
With a soaring 65 foot apex clearly visible from I-75, the facility will attract the attention
of tourists traveling I-75 from the Midwest to Florida and offers easy access from
anywhere in North Georgia and surrounding states.

The current staff of the Weinman Museum, with assistance from staff at Georgia
Museums, Inc., is currently engaged in conceptual exhibit and program design for Tellus.
Planners are using the following draft mission statement to guide their efforts. Tellus will
educate, inspire, and engage diverse audiences about science through collections, hands-
on/minds-on experiences and Georgia connections.

The name Tellus comes from the Roman goddess of the Earth, or Mother Earth, and
provides the inspiration for the scientific exploration at the heart of this new museum.
Major learning spaces at Tellus will include:

• A 120-seat Digital Planetarium featuring a variety of astronomy

programs, stargazing events, and family activities.

• Fossil Gallery showcasing a 40-foot Tyrannosaurus rex along with other

dinosaurs and fossils allowing visitors to trace the history of life on Earth.

• In the Transportation Gallery, visitors will relive major developments in science

and technology related to automobiles, airplanes, and space travel.

• My Big Backyard will be full of hands-on science exhibits introducing concepts

from the physical sciences and biology through backyard science experiences.

• Weinman Mineral Gallery showcasing one of the largest and most

comprehensive collections in the Southeast, drawing from more than 4,000 rocks,
gems, and minerals.

• Temporary Exhibition Space will feature important items on loan from major
museums around the country.

• Outdoor Learning Centers will offer additional space for hands-on/minds-on

exploration for students and families.
 •
A 200-seat Theatre will host films, lectures, presentations, special events, and
community functions.

• A short film shown in the 60-seat Orientation Theatre will help visitors prepare
to experience the scientific topics covered at Tellus.

• Science Trails offering outdoor learning adventures will be integrated throughout

the Tellus site, including a trail highlighting trees indigenous to Georgia, a
mineral garden with boulder-size specimens, and a display of mining equipment
used in local mines.

About Georgia Museums, Inc.

Georgia Museums, Inc., is a 501(c)3 public charity located in Cartersville, Georgia.

Georgia Museums, Inc. operates the Booth Western Art Museum, Bartow History Center
and Weinman Mineral Museum. Georgia Museums, Inc. will also operate Tellus – the
Northwest Georgia Science Museum – when it opens in 2008. Georgia Museums, Inc.
depends on admission revenue, memberships, and donations from private individuals,
corporations, and foundations for operating support.

For more information contact Seth Hopkins, Executive Director, Georgia

Museums, Inc., at 770-387-1300, ext. 239, or shopkins@georgiamuseums.org