PRESS PREVIEW FOR "GE PRESENTS: THE MYSTERY OF THE MUMMIES" PRIOR TO GRAND OPENING

ALBANY, NY (09/18/2013)(readMedia)-- The Ancient Egypt Collection is the most popular exhibit in the Instute's portfolio, helping to draw tens of thousands of visitors to the institute annually. On Saturday, the 21st, the Institute will launch the largest exhibition of this kind in its history. In addition to greatly expanded displays, the exhibition also includes educational programs, an international lecture series, festivals and hands-on workshops for children and families.

Thursday's program begins with a brief intrtoduction to describe the new exhibition. Immediately afterward, media will be allowed in the Institute's gallery for a tour of the new displays. The media can expect:

• Triple the number of Ancient Egyptian items on display, including international loans that have never before been on U.S. soil
• Interviews with museum leadership and world-class Egyptologists
• Fun, hands-on examples of workshops including jewlery-making, mummifying toy dolls and learning to write in hieroglyphics

The exhibition opens to the public Saturday, September 21st at 10am and runs through June 8th, 2014.