Kentucky Museum attendance increases due to a grant

BOWLING GREEN Ky.-Since the Kentucky Museum on the campus of Western Kentucky University started offering free admission to visitors, its attendance has gone way up.

Museum officials say they’ve seen a 30% increase since allowing visitors in for free, which started last December.

At that time, the museum was given a grant from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.

The money gives the museum the ability to have people visit for free for three years.

In addition, WKU classes have also been utilizing the museum’s artifacts for lessons, which has increased student interest in visiting the museum.

Museum employee, Tiffany Isselhardt, said the price for admission could potentially prevent some families from visiting all together, which is why she’s glad no one has to pay.

“Our area is 30% low income families. To those families, the $5 and $10 admissions were just prohibitive. Being able to come here for free and have their children and families finally see the history and culture of our region is just amazing. It makes me smile everyday,” Isselhardt said.

An upcoming exhibit titled Facing the Freshman Year-Essential Conversations, will be coming to the museum later this month.