News & Press Releases
A Dinosaur Museum Is Coming To The Granite Run Mall
For Immediate Release
A Dinosaur Museum Is Coming To The Granite Run Mall
(June 16, 2011) – Granite Run Mall and Dino Don, Inc. are pleased to announce a partnership that will create a one-of-a-kind Dinosaur Museum inside the Madison Marquette managed property in Media, PA. The name of this Museum is, Dinosaur-ium, and it is projected to open during the Fall of 2011.
The Dinosaur-ium is believed to be the first Dinosaur museum experience within a Regional Mall in the country and this idea was conceived by Don Lessem, better known as Dino Don. As the owner of the largest private collection of Dinosaurs in the United States and the owner of the original Dinosaurs from the movie Jurassic Park where he was a technical advisor, Don believes he has a unique opportunity to give back to the community where he lives which is Media, PA. Through an introduction by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, Don recently met with Bill Leppert, Mall Manager, and Aubrey Proud, Marketing Director, of the Granite Run Mall to discuss this concept which quickly progressed to a shared vision and ultimately the museum concept.
This museum will be open to the public during mall hours and the cost will be less than other museum’s with Dinosaurs in Philadelphia to allow for a true educational experience, and hopefully repeat visits. School field trips are expected to be frequent as youngsters will enjoy the dinosaur dig pit, educational exhibits, gift shop and of course the Dinosaurs themselves. The museum will feature life-size skeletons, fossils, videos, and interactive opportunities and the exhibits will rotate every 3-4 months to allow for new experiences for families. It is estimated that the museum will draw approximately 100,000 visitors between September 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.
The location of the museum will be on the lower level of the Granite Run Mall in a 7,900 sq. ft space, adjacent to Center Court. “We are so excited to have the one-of-a-kind Dinosaur-ium coming to the Granite Run Mall,” commented Aubrey Proud. “This unique museum should be quite interesting for families in Delaware County and beyond, and fits perfectly with our interest to improve the overall shopping experience for our community.”
Via his company Exhibitsrex, Inc., Dino Don has created the most popular touring dinosaur exhibitions in science museums across North America. He is responsible for excavating and reconstructing the world’s largest dinosaurs, several of which will be appearing at the Granite Run Mall. Summarizing his vision for the Dinosaur-ium, Mr. Lessem said, “I love the idea of sharing the wonder of discovering dinosaurs with my Delaware County neighbors. As an overgrown eight year old, I can’t think of anything cooler than seeing giant dinosaurs in my neighborhood mall.”
For more information on Dino Don, Inc, please visit www.dinodon.com, and for more information on the Granite Run Mall, please visit www.shopgraniterunmall.com or www.facebook.com/GraniteRunMall.
Contact:
Aubrey Proud
610-565-1654
aubrey.proud@madisonmarquette.com
