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Museum Of Natural Sciences Is New State Tourism Champ

N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences
NCMNS

A research firm says the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences was the most visited of the state’s museums and historic attractions last year.   It’s the first time in nine years that Biltmore Estate has not topped the list.  Mathews-based Carolina Publishing Associates compiled the numbers.  The firm says 1,220,814 people visited the museum in 2012.  Biltmore attracted 1,123,144 visitors.

The status as the state’s most attended museum coincides with the opening of the new Nature Research Center last spring.   The Museum of Natural Sciences recently received another accolade.  It was named as a finalist for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.  It is considered one of the highest honors for institutions involved significantly in community service.

Charlotte’s Discovery Place was third on the list of most visited museums and historic sites followed by the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro and Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach.  Rounding out the top ten were Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh, Fort Fisher State Historic Site at Kure Beach, Wright Brothers National Historic Site at Kill Devil Hills, the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville and the Museum of Life and Sciences in Durham

Gurnal Scott joined North Carolina Public Radio in March 2012 after several stops in radio and television. After graduating from the College of Charleston in his South Carolina hometown, he began his career in radio there. He started as a sports reporter at News/Talk Radio WTMA and won five Sportscaster of the Year awards. In 1997, Gurnal moved on to television as general assignment reporter and weekend anchor for WCSC-TV in Charleston. He anchored the market's top-rated weekend newscasts until leaving Charleston for Memphis, TN in 2002. Gurnal worked at WPTY-TV for two years before returning to his roots in radio. He joined the staff of Memphis' NewsRadio 600 WREC in 2004 eventually rising to News Director. In 2006, Raleigh news radio station WPTF came calling and he became the station's chief correspondent. Gurnal’s reporting has been honored by the South Carolina Broadcasters Association, the North Carolina Associated Press, and the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas.
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