Creation Museum
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The front of the Creation Museum
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| Established | May 28, 2007 |
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| Location | Petersburg, Kentucky, US |
| Coordinates | 39°05′10″N 84°47′00″W / 39.08611°N 84.78333°W |
| Type | Creation apologetics ministry |
| Visitors | 254,074 (2011) |
| Founder | Ken Ham |
| Owner | Answers in Genesis |
| Website | creationmuseum |
The Creation Museum, located in Petersburg, Kentucky, United States, is operated by the Christian creation apologetics organization Answers in Genesis (AiG). It promotes a pseudoscientific, Young Earth creationist (YEC) explanation of the origin of the Universe based on a literal interpretation of the Genesis creation narrative in the Bible.
The 75,000-square-foot (7,000 m2) museum cost US$27 million, raised through private donations, and opened on May 28, 2007. In addition to the main collection, the facility has a special effects theater, a planetarium, an Allosaurus skeleton, and an insect collection. It also serves as the headquarters of AiG. The museum has approximately 300 employees and permanent employees must sign a statement of faith affirming their belief in AiG's principles.
Consistent with YEC and contradicting science, the museum depicts the coexistence of humans and dinosaurs, portrays the Earth as approximately 6,000 years old, and disputes the theory of evolution. Scientists and educators have criticized the museum for misrepresenting science and expressed concerns that it could have a negative impact on science education. Proponents of other religious beliefs about the Universe's origins—including old Earth creationism, theistic evolution, and intelligent design—have said that its rejection of scientific consensus damages the credibility of Christianity and its adherents. Tenets of Young Earth creationism enjoy substantial support among the general population in the United States, however, contributing to the museum's popularity.
The museum is controversial and has received much commentary from cultural observers and the museum community. Scholars of museum studies, like Gretchen Jennings, have said that creationist exhibitions lack "valid connection with current worldwide thinking on their chosen discipline" and with "human knowledge and experience," and are not in their view museums at all.
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