Mobile Tricentennial exhibit to visit community events
SAN ANTONIO (May 2, 2018) – VIA Metropolitan Transit, the City of San Antonio Tricentennial Commission, and the Witte Museum on Wednesday unveiled a mobile version of the premier Tricentennial exhibit, “Confluence and Culture: 300 Years of San Antonio History,” now on display at the Witte. The history-on-wheels project sponsored by VIA is an extension of the current multi-faceted exhibition that portrays San Antonio as the hub of the frontier under many flags over three centuries.
“As part of VIA’s Learning Lab program, the Tricentennial-themed bus connects to the ‘confluence and culture’ of our first 300 years. This rich history is captured in the Witte exhibit and VIA is helping to bring that experience to our community,” VIA President/CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt said. “Through community partnerships like this, VIA’s mission to connect people to opportunities that enhance quality of life is realized.”
Marise McDermott, President/CEO of the Witte Museum, and Cynthia Teniente Matson, Chair of the San Antonio Tricentennial Commission, joined in the bus unveiling Wednesday at the Witte. Programming and design for the Learning Lab is the result of the collaboration between SA 300, the Witte and VIA, the Official Transportation Partner of the Tricentennial celebrations.
VIA’s transformation of a bus into a micro-exhibit where visitors may experience audio, digital and interactive elements of the Witte display is an exciting milestone in the history of San Antonio. Themes will span early Spanish culture, architecture, and art, through modern economic and cultural development of the city. Visitors will enter the specially designed VIA bus through Mission-style doors for a past-to-present experience. The bus—a new, compressed natural gas-powered vehicle—will travel to official Tricentennial events, and by-request to schools and community events. To request a VIA Learning Lab visit, go to VIAInfo.net/community, or call (210) 362-2389.
Photo Above: VIA President and CEO Jeff Arndt (second from left) is joined by Texas A&M San Antonio President and Tricentennial Commision Chair Cynthia Matson, and Witte Museum President and CEO Marise McDermott, along with Witte history actors, to unveil the Tricentennial Learning Lab. (Jeff Ramirez/VIA Metropolitan Transit)
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About VIA Metropolitan Transit
VIA provides regional multimodal transportation options that connect our community to opportunity, support economic vitality, and enhance quality of life throughout our region. VIA, recognized by the Texas Transit Association in 2018 as the outstanding Metro Transit Authority of the year, serves 14 member cities and the unincorporated areas of Bexar County, operating seven days a week on 92 routes. Last year, VIA provided nearly 40 million rides across the region. VIA’s AAA bond rating reflects the organization’s sound management and financial practices. Visit VIAinfo.net for more information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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