History Center extends hours for 'Vatican Splendors' exhibit

Due to popular demand, the Minnesota History Center will extend its hours to accommodate visitors who wish to see the exhibit "Vatican Splendors: From Saint Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Swiss Guard."

The change begins Thanksgiving Weekend. On Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28 and 29, hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Additionally, Sunday and Tuesday hours are being extended through the run of the exhibit. Hours are Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays, and Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More than 55,000 tickets have already been sold for the blockbuster exhibit, which features more than 200 works of art and artifacts, some never before seen outside the Vatican.

The History Center will also host "Vatican Splendors" themed events on Thanksgiving weekend. From noon to 4 p.m., on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in "History HiJinx: Luminous Luminaries," children and families can make four-sided paper luminaries with provided materials inspired by the luminous mosaics in the exhibit. At 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, the ongoing Minnesota Sings! music series will feature the Partners in Praise Girls Choir. The group, made up of girls in grades 8-12, will perform in the History Center's Capitol Concourse. The events are included with museum admission or "Vatican Splendors" tickets.

Tickets for the exhibit can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at (651) 989-5151. Tickets also may be purchased at the Minnesota History Center box office at 345 Kellogg Blvd. W. in St. Paul. All tickets are timed entry and subject to availability. Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and $13 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 or younger are free with adult ticket purchase.

(Kay Johnson is a staff writer at the Hutchinson Leader. She can be reached at johnson@hutchinsonleader.com).