Attendance at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque says attendance is down more than five percent this year and five full-time museum employees have been laid off. Museum Marketing Director John Sutter believes there’s one main reason for the dip in museum admissions.
“Higher gas prices have put a burden on vacationers and put a burden on families,” he says. “They’re choose to take vacations closer to home.” Paul Schaub and his family had planned a trip to the west coast, but the Wisconsin family visited the river museum instead because it’s only a 90-minute trip from home.
“The short ones don’t hurt,” Schaub says. “It’s (those) long ones that cost the money.” Sutter, the spokesman for the Dubuque museum, says there will be no reduction in hours and no exhibits will not be affected by the lay-offs.
“Things will continue to be seamless as far as the visitor’s concerned,” he says.