City News

Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The City of Tuscaloosa's Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum is permanently waiving its admission charge, making the museum free for all to tour and learn about the community's history.“We are very excited to open the doors of the Transportation Museum to all of our residents and visitors to enjoy and be able to learn about Tuscaloosa's rich history,” said Mayor Walter Maddox.The Transportation Museum follows an example set by major museums in Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas and Minneapolis, all of whom have stopped charging admission to increase community participation and attract wider audiences.“The museum's mission is to serve as a hub for the community, as it did for 46 years as the Queen City pool and pool house,” said Shaina Strom, director of the Transportation Museum. “After major renovations and reopening the historic building as the Transportation Museum, we found that the admission cost was an impediment to fulfilling our mission.”The museum will partner with the Alabama Blues Project for a kick-off event to celebrate waiving admission on Saturday, March 15. The event will include a live performance of the Alabama Blues Project Advanced Band from noon to 2 p.m. For more info about scheduling museum tours, educational programs or inquiries about renting the museum and park, please contact the Museum directly at 205-248-4931, call Tuscaloosa 311 at 205-248-5311 or visit the website at www.mwwtm.com.