Birmingham – More people filed through "Pompeii: Tales From an Eruption," than any exhibit at the Birmingham Museum of Art since 1985. The display featured 500 objects from the ruins of the ancient city.
Only the Armand Hammer Collection, a free event, drew more. The display attracted 95,623 visitors during the 15-week run, about one-third of them during the last three weeks. The exhibit, which included jewelry and body casts of victims, began October 14th and closed Sunday.
Visitors, including 24,371 students, came from 42 states and 60 Alabama counties. About 450 volunteers put in 10,000 hours and the museum gained about 2,800 members.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)