MONTGOMERY – Troy University officials, dignitaries and civil rights leaders officially opened the doors today a high-tech museum annex that focuses on the civil rights struggle.

The Rosa Parks Library and Museum’s Children’s Wing brings the saga of the events leading up to the Montgomery Bus Boycott to life through the Cleveland Avenue Time Machine and a research library.

“We believe the Children’s Wing will allow the museum to serve a broader cross-section of visitors by telling the complex story of the civil rights movement in a manner that will be easily understood by young people,” said Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr.

The Children’s Wing – which was opened at a ceremony at 10 a.m. in the University’s Davis Theatre – combines state-of-the-art audio and video animation with history, set inside an oversized replica of the City of Montgomery’s Cleveland Avenue bus, circa 1955. Through a series of video presentations, visitors to the Children’s Wing will be transported back in time to critical events in the American civil rights struggle.

Among those attending the ceremonies are 16 members of Mrs. Parks’ family. The ceremonies were sponsored the University’s long-time partner Sodexho Campus Services, which donated $50,000 to underwrite the event.

On the Children’s Wing’s first floor, visitors to the time machine will be welcomed on board by a robotic bus driver named Mr. Rivets, who will take them back in time to the early “Jim Crow” era. During this “trip through time,” visitors will come to understand how African-Americans were treated and how this treatment ultimately led to the Civil Rights Movement.

The 18-20 minute experience is one-of-a-kind for the United States, said Peter Vogt, a Washington, D.C.-based film producer who was responsible for the audio/visual production of the Cleveland Avenue Time Machine.

“It’s a multi-dimensional experience transporting young people back into moments and important figures in the African-American experience leading up to what happened on the night of Dec. 1, 1955,” Vogt said. “The Time Machine prepares visitors for the formal museum experience by way of a magical and provocative time travel experience before hand.”

In addition to the Cleveland Avenue Time Machine, the Children’s Wing includes an interactive research area where visitors can research historical documents and hear testimonials of those who participated in or have knowledge about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Kiosks, informational panels and computer stations assist researchers seeking information about the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Civil Rights Movement in America. A Boycott timeline and a legal timeline show visitors how it took both to end bus segregation.

Funding for the $5 million project came from a $1,995,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant, a $404,000 Department of Interior grant, a $250,000 City of Montgomery Community Development Block Grant, a gift of building and land from the Homebuilders’ Association of Alabama, other private donations and from Troy University.

About 30,000 visitors per year are expected in the Children’s Wing, said Ray White, interim vice chancellor of the Montgomery campus and the University’s project manager. More than 140,000 people from 70 countries have visited the Rosa Parks Library and Museum since its opening in 2000.

Architects for the project were Sherlock, Smith and Adams, Inc., of Montgomery, and the museum designer/consultant was Eisterhold Associates, Inc., of Kansas City, Mo – the same consultants that were used for the Rosa Parks Museum.

Consultants on African-American history used in the Children’s Wing were Dr. James Oliver Horton, professor of American studies at George Washington University and director of  the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution; Dr. Spencer Crew, executive director and CEO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center; Dr. J. Mills Thornton III, a professor at the University of Michigan; and Dr. Raymond O. Arsenault, holder of the John Hope Franklin Chair at the University of South Florida.

Other designers, consultants and museum fabricators include: Vogt Productions, Inc., of Washington, D.C., Mr. Benjamin Lawless, a Smithsonian Institution retiree, Mr. Charlie Brown of California, Mr. Tom Guidas, of Florida, Dr. Tonea Stewart, Alabama State University, Mr. Jan Bochenek of Virginia, and Hadley Exhibits of New York, the firm that built the Cleveland Avenue Time Machine.

The Children’s Wing’s general contractor is Thomas Mason and Construction Co., Inc., of Montgomery.

The Time Machine’s cast includes 24 Alabamians who play various roles during the presentation. Dr. Stewart serves as the “Time Travel Guide” for the voyage.

Among those providing remarks in the Feb. 17 opening ceremonies were: Gov. Bob Riley, Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr., Troy University Trustee Lamar P. Higgins, Congressman Artur Davis (D-Ala. 7th), Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright, Ms. Johnnie Carr, president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, Dr. Cameron Martindale, senior vice chancellor for advancement and external relations for the University, the Rev. Joseph Rembert Sr., pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Montgomery, and Dr. Belle Wheelan, president of the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Montgomery County Superintendent of Education Dr. Carlinda Purcell presented a special Youth Art Exhibit. Musical performances will be provided by the Carver Elementary School Choir, Ms. Sheila Jackson, the Sidney Lanier High School Choir and the Troy University Gospel Singers. Troy University John M. Long School of Music faculty members Dr. John Jinright, Carol Franks and Ray Smith will provide the prelude entertainment.

Cutting the ceremonial ribbon was Mrs. Georgette Norman, executive director of the Rosa Parks Library and Museum, Arnani Cason of Head Elementary School, Shelby Traff of Alabama Christian Academy and Anfernee Harris of Green Gate School.

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