Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America opens tomorrow in Pueblo

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – The Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America will be hosting its grand opening tomorrow, June 12, in Downtown Pueblo. The museum features immersive exhibits and educational experiences showcasing the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci.

According to organizers, it will be the first permanent museum in the US entirely devoted to Leonardo da Vinci and his machines, and the museum's library has the only complete collection of his manuscripts and sketches in North America. The founder is a Pueblo native.

The museum hopes to expand STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) education to Southern Colorado, representing how da Vinci combined the arts and sciences through his works.

Many of the model machines on the museum floor are interactive, so visitors can learn about da Vinci's work hands-on. They also have a STEAM center where kids can participate in camps and workshops.

"As a scholar, it's an initiative of great cultural importance. One that leads to the American audience (having) the possibility to have access to our museum, to our collection, to our place, to exploring scientific, technological and artistic interests and achievements of Leonardo," said Dr. Sara Taglialagamba, professor of History of Science in the Renaissance at the University of Urbino in Italy.

Dr. Taglialagamba will speak in a panel conversation alongside two other da Vinci scholars tonight, June 11, at 7 p.m. at the Pueblo Convention Center to kick off the opening celebration. Tickets can be purchased on the museum's website

The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on June 12. The museum will also host an outdoor festival all day tomorrow and Saturday with face painting, food trucks, fencing demonstrations and more. It is free to attend, but tickets will need to be purchased to explore inside the museum.

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