FORT SMITH, Ark. -(Ammoland.com)- During its executive board meeting, the U.S. Marshals Museum today announced it will open its doors on September 24, 2019 to coincide with the 230th anniversary of the U.S. Marshals Service.
“The Fort Smith community came together and brought this museum home,” said Patrick Weeks, president and CEO of the U.S. Marshals Museum. “The time is now to help us capitalize on our positive momentum and get this world-class project built.”
With the board’s approval, the museum will now execute a strategic campaign to help reach its $60-million goal.
In addition to involving community members and local corporations, it will capitalize on the results of the Gateway Planning’s “Propelling Downtown Forward” plan that reiterated the museum’s riverfront location as vital to downtown Fort Smith’s future economic viability and success.
“The U.S. Marshals Museum is already doing so much to benefit our community—both economically and culturally through our extensive educational programming and our National Learning Center,” said Robert Young, chairman of the U.S. Marshals Museum Foundation. “This fundraising campaign will allow us to do even more for Fort Smith, especially our historic downtown and riverfront.”
As part of the campaign, the museum architects will continue to develop an iconic design to best fit the museum’s $60-million budget.
The 50,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility will honor the importance of the U.S. Marshals Service and its more than 225-year history.
“We are excited to share the U.S. Marshals Service’s long and storied history,” said Dr. Cole Goodman, chairman of the U.S. Marshals Museum board. “By successfully executing this campaign, we will ensure this nationally-recognized museum is open on time for families in our community and across the nation to enjoy.”
About the U.S. Marshals Museum
The future U.S. Marshals Museum will be a national museum located on the riverfront in Fort Smith, Ark. It will tell the more than 225-year story of the U.S. Marshals Service, the oldest law enforcement agency in the United States, and honor the sacrifice of marshals killed in the line of duty. For more information, visit usmarshalsmuseum.org.