Idaho Museum of Natural History joins Smithsonian magazine’s 11th annual Museum Day Live! Free admission on Sept. 26 with a downloadable ticket

POCATELLO – The Idaho Museum of Natural History (IMNH) at Idaho State University in Pocatello will open its doors free of charge on Saturday, Sept. 26, as part of Smithsonian magazine’s 11th annual Museum Day Live!

On this day only, participating museums across the United States emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington D.C.-based facilities, which offer free admission every day, and open their doors for free to those who download a Museum Day Live! ticket.

Inclusive by design, the event represents Smithsonian’s commitment to make learning and the spread of knowledge accessible to everyone. Last year’s event drew over 400,000 participants, and this year’s event is expected to attract more museum goers than ever before.

“The Smithsonian is free to everyone but not everyone can travel to Washington D.C. to take advantage. Museum Day Live! gives everyone a chance to visit a museum in their area for free at least once a year,” said Leif Tapanila, IMNH Director.

While at the museum visitors can enjoy the IMNH newest exhibits “Gone Fishin'” and “Evolving Idaho.” “Gone Fishin'” submerges guests in the fish and fisherman habitat through interactive displays and an art exhibition called “38 Minus: The Idaho Fish Project,” which spotlights all 39 varieties of Idaho’s native fish using life size paper relief sculptures created by artist, Lonnie Hutson. “Evolving Idaho” explores the evolution of native animals and plants of Idaho through colorful graphics and interactive displays. IMNH is open Tuesday-Friday noon-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday noon-5 p.m. Admission to the museum is: $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for ISU students with valid ID, $1 for youth 4-17, and children 3 and under are free. To learn more about IMNH please visit imnh.isu.edu or call (208) 282-3168.

The Museum Day Live! ticket is available for download at Smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the Museum Day Live! ticket will gain free entrance for two at the IMNH for one day only. One ticket, per household, per email address is permitted. For more information about Museum Day Live! 2015 and a full list of participating museums and cultural institutions, please visit Smithsonian.com/museumday.

For more information, please visit Smithsonian.com/museumdaylive.

About Smithsonian Media
Smithsonian Media comprises of its flagship publication, Smithsonian magazine, as well as Air & Space, Smithsonian Books, and the Smithsonian Media Digital Network. In addition, Smithsonian Media oversees the Smithsonian Institution’s interest in the Smithsonian Channel, a joint venture between the Smithsonian Institution and CBS/Showtime. Smithsonian Media is a division of Smithsonian Enterprises, the revenue-generating business unit of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum and research complex consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. Approximately 30 million people from around the world visit the museums annually.