feature article - may 2008

Museum extends hours
for last month of stunning BODYWORLDS

MORE THAN 250,000 visitors already have seen BODY WORLDS: The Original Exhibition of Real Human Bodies at the Milwaukee Public Museum, leading the museum to extend hours from May 18 until the exhibit closes June 1.

Already the most-visited exhibit in the history of the museum at 800 W. Wells St., BODY WORLDS now will be open from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. each day after May 18. Before May 18, the exhibit hours will continue to be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Wed., 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.

BODY WORLDS features authentic human specimens preserved through a revolutionary process called Plastination, created by German scientist-physician Dr. Gunther von Hagens. The preservation technique replaces bodily fluids and fat with reactive plastics, preserving human tissue in its natural state.

The exhibit presents more than 200 authentic specimens, including organs and whole body specimens for a rare and unique opportunity to view the complexity of human anatomy and physiology.

Brought to Milwaukee with the support of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, the exhibition is the original presentation in a series of anatomical exhibitions, which has been seen by nearly 25 million people in more than 40 cities across Asia, Europe and North America.

BODY WORLDS provides important insights into health issues such as the effects of smoking through exhibits of preserved lungs from a smoker and non-smoker.

The specimens in BODY WORLDS stem primarily from the Institute for Plastination's body donation program, which maintains a donor roster of more than 8,000 living and deceased donors.

Visitors also can view The Human Body in the museum's Humphrey IMAX domed theater. The film took three years to produce and adapts the most sophisticated graphics available to present a picture of life.

Because of the high demand for tickets, advance reservations should be made at 414-278-6170 or toll-free at 888-700-9069. Additional information also may be obtained at www.mpm.edu or www.bodyworlds.com.

Tickets for timed entry to the exhibit are $24 for adults (19-61), $19.50 for seniors (62) and students with identification, and $15 for children (3-18). Discounted rates are available for members of the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Check for The Human Body IMAX film times and tickets at www.mpm.edu, or phone for reservations at 414-319-4629 or 888-700-9069. Tickets may be purchased at the museum box office located in the concourse.