Chucalissa Museum Receives $65,000 City Grant
For release: December 15, 2003
For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey

The city of Memphis has awarded a $65,000 grant to the Chucalissa Archaeological Museum, a unit of the University of Memphis. The funding will support extensive repair and renovation to the Chucalissa archeological site and the C.H. Nash Museum.

The funds also will contribute to ongoing efforts to expand and enhance the educational resources and opportunities at Chucalissa, says museum director Dr. Dan Swan. Initial activity will focus on improving the visitor experience for the general public, enhanced educational programs for elementary school students, and expanded research and training opportunities for U of M students. City funding will include partial support for the development and installation of new interpretive signage in the mound group area and a summer day camp program for elementary school students.

The second phase of planned renovations will include reinstallation of the museum's permanent interpretive exhibitions and improvements to the nature trail at the site. Swan notes that the museum will need to secure additional funding to implement later phases of redevelopment and renovation.

"The financial support from the city of Memphis could not have arrived at a more important time in the history of Chucalissa," says Swan, "and these resources will contribute to the three core areas of activity at the site: stewardship of the archaeological park, care for the museum's collections, and our educational programs for the general public and student audiences."

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