Denver Museum of Nature & Science will host popular exhibition for additional four weeks

(Denver - June 24, 2010) The Denver Museum of Nature & Science announced today that the popular Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart will continue its run for an additional four weeks, providing extra time to see the dramatic specimens on display this summer. Originally scheduled to close next month, the world-renowned health and anatomy exhibition will remain open through Sunday, August 15. 

"This is a tremendous opportunity for both area residents and summer visitors to the Mile High City," said Dr. Bridget Coughlin, the Museum's vice president of strategic partnerships and programs and curator of human health. "We are thrilled to announce the extension of BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart.  It is a compelling experience that makes us appreciate the complexity and beauty of the human body. The topic of human health is very personal and appeals to a diverse audience, and we continue to be amazed by the impact this exhibition has on our visitors."

Visitor Comments

The comment books at the exhibition's exit underscore the personal and powerful reaction from BODY WORLDS visitors in Denver. Sample statements include:

"The magnificence and majesty of the human body is clearly illuminated in this blend of science, prose, and education. Thanks." (5th grade teacher)

"Amazing. I took anatomy classes before but never anything like this. It was jaw-dropping. BODY WORLDS inspires me to do something in the field of science and medicine." (19-year-old student)

"Awesome exhibit and very educational for adults and kids alike. Amazing technology."

"At 65 I learned a lot. Wish this was around 40 years ago. I would have changed my life in many ways. I'm glad it's here for my grandchildren to learn."

BODY WORLDS at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

The all-new exhibition, BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart, reveals-through the lenses of anatomy, cardiology, psychology and culture-how the heart nourishes, regulates and sustains life. The exhibition gives Museum visitors profound insight into the human body, health and disease, and the intricate world of the cardiovascular system and awes visitors with more than 200 human specimens, including whole-body plastinates, organs and translucent body slices.   

BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart runs through August 15, 2010. The exhibition is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with extended hours to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and to 6 p.m. on Sundays. General visitors pay $25.50 for adults, $16 for children/students (age 3-18 or with a student ID) and $19 for seniors (age 65+); this ticket price includes admission to both the Museum and the BODY WORLDS exhibition. During extended hours, general visitors pay $18 for adults, $13 for children/students and $16 for seniors; this ticket does not include admission to the Museum.

About the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain Region's leading resource for informal science education. A variety of engaging exhibits, discussions and activities help Museum visitors celebrate and understand the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth and the universe. The Museum is located at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO, 80205. To learn more about the Museum, check / or call 303-322-7009. Many of the Museum's educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by generous funding from the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District.

About Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS
Dr. Gunther von Hagens invented Plastination in 1977, in an effort to improve the education of medical students. He created the BODY WORLDS exhibitions to bring anatomy to the public. Since 1995, 30 million people in Asia, Europe and North America have visited the BODY WORLDS exhibitions. The organs and whole-body plastinates were derived from generous body donors, individuals who designated that upon their death their bodies could be used for educational purposes in the BODY WORLDS exhibitions. More than 10,000 donors have bequeathed their bodies to Dr. von Hagens' Institute for Plastination in Heidelberg, Germany. For more information on BODY WORLDS, please visit www.bodyworlds.com. 

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For more information, please contact

Heather Hope, APR
Public Relations Manager
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
303-370-8372
heather.hope@dmns.org

Rhiannon Hendrickson
Communications Manager
BODY WORLDS
303-333-1138
r.hendrickson@bw.plastination.com