Internationally-Renowned Turquoise Museum Reopens in Downtown Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (PRWEB) May 23, 2019 -- The popular Turquoise Museum has relocated to downtown Albuquerque. The Lowry family, owners and founders of the Turquoise Museum, joined City of Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, New Mexico Tourism Cabinet Secretary Jen Schroer, Visit Albuquerque and city and state leaders last month to cut the ribbon of the new "Turquoise Castle, Home of the Turquoise Museum." Since reopening to the public on April 6, the Museum has welcomed over 1,000 visitors, far outpacing visitation over April 2018 at its former location in Old Town Albuquerque.
“The Turquoise Museum celebrates its 26th anniversary this year, and our family had been searching for the perfect location for the future of the Museum,” said Jacob Lowry, Executive Director of the Turquoise Museum. “The minute we walked into the castle, we knew it would be the perfect home for our world-class turquoise collection, our library and our educational initiatives.”
“The reopening of the Turquoise Museum is a celebration of the vision and determination of local entrepreneurs who are creating jobs, advancing economic development and investing in downtown Albuquerque,” said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Millions of tourists visit Albuquerque every year, and this terrific attraction is another star in the constellation of high-quality Albuquerque experiences. The Lowry family is to be commended for their commitment to boosting the city's economy and tourism industry, not to mention community programs."
“The addition of this international visitor attraction continues the ongoing revitalization of downtown Albuquerque, and the Turquoise Museum mixed with the castle—which is really a phenomenal attraction in its own right—is a winning and special combination,” said Tania Armenta, President & CEO of Visit Albuquerque. “The prestigious nature of the Museum and its unique new location strengthens the catalogue of the city’s wealth of world-class museums and cultural centers and will increase Albuquerque’s reputation of being known as a city rich in arts and culture.”
The Museum was opened in 1993 by the Lowrys—a New Mexican family with five generations of turquoise experience and expertise. The Museum houses what is believed to be the world’s largest collection of turquoise including the George Washington stone, named for its resemblance to the profile of the first president of the United States. The 11.5 inches by 9.5 inches cabochon weighs 6,888 carats.
The Museum features exhibits including: the science and geology of turquoise, turquoise mining, turquoise around the world, and features hundreds of examples of turquoise jewelry as well as education on imitation turquoise. The Museum is open for self-guided tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and tickets start at $16.
Tourism continues to be a critical piece of the economy of Albuquerque and New Mexico. According to Visit Albuquerque’s most recent numbers, Albuquerque sees an average of 6.2 million visitors each year, which generate more than $2 billion annually.
“Our family is pleased to play a role in the vital tourism economy of our beloved Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico,” said Jacob Lowry. “We’re excited to welcome visitors to our new location and continue to show the world what turquoise is all about.”
About the Turquoise Museum
The Turquoise Museum and its collection of turquoise have been used as a source of information and pictures for over 40 years. Uncover the mystery of turquoise, delve into its rich history, learn about the different mines, specimens, and stories of colorful characters at The Turquoise Museum. For more information, go to http://www.turquoisemuseum.com.
About Visit Albuquerque
The mission of Visit Albuquerque is to stimulate economic growth by marketing Albuquerque as a visitor and convention destination. For more information, go to http://www.VisitABQ.org, http://www.Facebook.com/VisitABQ or http://www.Twitter.com/VisitABQ.
Brenna Moore, Visit Albuquerque, http://www.VisitABQ.org, +1 505-222-4349, [email protected]
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