DENVER-September 27, 2010-The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has set a new membership record with 62,387 membership households-the most ever in its 109-year history. This new number eclipses the previous membership record of 52,644 households set in July 2006, and makes the Museum's membership program one of the largest of any natural history museum or science center in the country.

"I'm so proud that our members have helped the Museum achieve this historic milestone, and I can't thank them enough for their continued support and enthusiasm for science," said George Sparks, the Museum's President and CEO.

The Museum's membership numbers have been in record territory since January 2010. Between January 1 and August 31, 2010, the Museum has added more than 12,300 member households to its roster. The Museum also has a large number of long-term members: almost 15,000 who have supported the Museum for 10 years or more, and approximately 6,500 who have been members for more than 20 years. Most Museum members live in Colorado, though people in 47 other states also maintain Museum memberships.

Revenues from membership sales support the Museum's exhibits, programs, research and care for the 1.4 million objects in the Museum's collections.

"Even in an uncertain economy, the value of a Museum membership is tremendous. It pays for itself in just a couple of visits, and it gives families and adults first access and deep discounts to exhibits, films, activities and programs that have universal appeal," said Mary Beth Armbruster, the Museum's director of membership. "Our members support the Museum's ability to carry out our mission, and we thank them with terrific values and benefits. They are the ultimate insiders."

Members receive special perks such as sneak previews of temporary exhibitions, evening hours for members only, and opportunities to see what's behind the scenes in the Museum's collections with the research scientists.

"Our members with young children especially appreciate being able to come to the Museum for a few hours, knowing they can come back anytime with their membership rather than trying to do everything in one visit," said Armbruster.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science also participates in the Association of Science-Technology Centers Passport Program, a reciprocal membership program that grants Museum members admission to more than 290 other science centers and natural history museums throughout the country.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has six membership levels, ranging in price from $35 to $115. Member benefits include

• Free admission to the Museum
• Discounted admission to surcharged temporary exhibitions, Phipps IMAX 3D Theater and Gates Planetarium
• Discounts on lectures, field trips, children's workshops, summer camps, the new Science Lounge program series, and purchases in the T-Rex Cafe and the Museum Shop
• Members-only sneak previews and exhibit premieres, and first access to tickets and notification about upcoming temporary exhibitions, IMAX films and Planetarium shows
• A subscription to the Museum's e-newsletter and its new magazine, Catalyst

For more information about Museum memberships, check www.dmns.org/members.

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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 www.dmns.org, or call 303-370-6000.

Many of the Museum's educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by generous funding fromthe citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District

Media Contact:

Laura Holtman
Public Relations Manager
303-548-4336
laura.holtman@dmns.org