The National Endowment for the Humanities grant will enable thousands of rarely-seen archival documents, photos and artifacts to be fully accessible by museum visitors.

The three-year archival project will feature bilingual content and use new, state-of-the-art, interactive portals and displays featuring over 3,000 items from the archive collection.

The Comedy Center is now part of the Museums for All program, which is administered by the Association of Children’s Museums to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits.

The Museums for All program supports those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits, who can now visit the National Comedy Center and Lucy Desi Museum for a minimal fee of $2 dual admission, per person, for up to four people, with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

Similar free and reduced admission is available to eligible members of the public at more than 1,000 museums across the country.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at ComedyCenter.org, or by visiting the admissions desk at either the National Comedy Center or Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum.

The National Comedy Center is celebrating the milestone presenting 70 of the best episodes of “I Love Lucy” in its theater over four days beginning today. Episodes include “The Girls Want to Go to a Nightclub,” and fan favorites like “Lucy Does a TV Commercial” (the Vitameatavegamin episode), “Job Switching (the chocolate factory episode) and “Lucy’s Italian Movie” (the grape stomping episode).

At the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, new photo experiences will officially debut today, including the opportunity to walk on to the most famous TV living room in TV history – an exact replica of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo’s New York apartment set – for a photo op.

Six Emmy Awards won by Lucille Ball are newly presented within the museum for another photo opportunity. Throughout the museum, new audiovisual presentations and upgraded artifact displays have been completed.

Virtual celebrations of the “I Love Lucy” 70th anniversary include the Lucy Desi Museum’s new Picture Mosaic experience. Fans are invited to submit photos of themselves to help create a Lucy Desi 70th anniversary mural mosaic. The mural will be displayed within the museum gallery and online, and become a permanent part of the museum archives. For details and to submit photos for free, visit LucyMosaic.com.

The National Comedy Center has developed a multifaceted and comprehensive health and safety program entitled “LaughSafe,” which will be implemented upon reopening to ensure the health and safety of all guests and staff. In much the same way that the Comedy Center redefined the museum visitor experience with state of the art personalization and interactive technology when it first opened in 2018, the LaughSafe program has reimagined health and safety protocols in order to ensure a safe, worry-free and touch-free experience for all visitors to the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum.

With its expansive 37,000 square feet of space and non-linear, free-flow design, coupled with new reduced capacity to 25%, timed-entry ticketing and touch-free protocols, the National Comedy Center is uniquely suited to enable a safe, socially-distant and worry-free visitor experience. The Center’s rural Chautauqua County, NY home, where relatively few cases of COVID-19 cases have been reported, makes a day trip or overnight visit to Jamestown a perfect family get-away.

“We’re thrilled at the opportunity to help people start laughing again – and it’s clear that the power of comedy is more important than ever in these challenging times,” stated Journey Gunderson, National Comedy Center Executive Director. “We’re so pleased that we can welcome visitors once more, and provide a safe and worry-free environment for our guests to take a much-needed break, relax and simply laugh –- loud and often — as they enjoy some of the greatest comedy of all time.”

The National Comedy Center’s LaughSafe program was developed in consultation with health professionals at UPMC Chautauqua and UPMC in Pittsburgh, including health and safety protocol reviews with UPMC epidemiologists and an on-site inspection with local UPMC Chautauqua professionals.

The LaughSafe health and safety program features include:

• “Touch-Free”:  All exhibits and screens are now touch-free with the use of a disposable stylus, disposable earbuds and a new “LaughCard” featuring an RFID chip for personalized comedy.
• Temperature checks are required for all guests and staff members upon entry, as well as a daily health screening for staff members.
• Masks are required to be worn by staff and guests (including children age 2 and above) at all times.
• Museum capacity has been reduced to 25% and timed guest entry protocols have been implemented.
• Certain exhibit experiences in contained spaces are limited to small groups consisting of members of same household.
• Advanced online reservations are strongly recommended to ensure entry.
• Visitors now have a new opportunity to create their Sense of Humor profiles at home, before they visit, rather than at a kiosk within the museum.
• Social distancing markers and signage have been placed throughout the museum to ensure proper physical distance between guests.
• Hand-sanitizing stations are located throughout the museum.
• Touch-free, contactless payment options are now available.
• Museum staff have been trained extensively for new health and safety protocols.
• State-of-the-art, deep cleaning and disinfecting techniques have been implemented, including frequent disinfecting throughout the day.
• Real-time monitoring of the guest experience and guest feedback to optimize health and safety protocols.

The National Comedy Center is now in the process of producing a new LaughSafe video featuring comedian Lewis Black, who, in his own unique style of ranting and comedic rage, will remind National Comedy Center visitors to wear face masks and maintain social distance within the museum.

For more on LaughSafe, visit ComedyCenter.org/LaughSafe.

In addition to consultation with local UPMC Chautauqua health professionals, the National Comedy Center sourced local Chautauqua County companies for many of its LaughSafe initiatives, including The Resource Center and Team Jock Shop for face masks, Jamestown Soap & Solvent for cleaning and disinfecting supplies and 360 Graphics for signage.

The National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum will operate on a reduced schedule during its reopening phase, with opening hours as follows beginning Friday, July 3rd:

National Comedy Center:

• Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday , 10 am to 5 pm.
• Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum:

• Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday, 10 am to 5 pm.
• Open Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm.
• Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

JAMESTOWN – Local residents are being invited to participate in Doors Open Jamestown on Saturday, Jan. 18.

The annual event invitees area residents to visit over a dozen different places right here in our own backyard. Designed to invite area residents to visit and learn about the local museums, galleries, and assets we have right here in our community, Doors Open Jamestown features something for everyone, whether you’re interested in history, comedy, nature, or art.

Most attractions will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free admission.  Hours may vary at some locations.  In addition, dozens of local restaurants and retail shops will be open for your shopping and dining pleasure on that day.

The list of participating attractions so far includes:

• Audubon Community Nature Center
• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce
• Chautauqua Harbor Hotel
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Children’s Activity Corner
• DAR House, Fenton History Center
• James Prendergast Library
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Martz-Kohl Observatory
• Marvin Community House
• National Comedy Center (preregistration required)
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute

Doors Open Jamestown is organized by the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and Jamestown Up Close, with support from the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce.  More info at JamestownUpClose.com.

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JAMESTOWN – The very popular Doors Open Jamestown will be back again on Saturday, January 19.

Doors Open offers free admission for the day to our local attractions, demonstrating the extraordinary tourism opportunities that are right here in our own backyard.  Sponsored by the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Doors Open has grown substantially since it first began.

Participating venues are:

• Jamestown Audubon Nature Center
• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua Harbor Hotel
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Daughters of the American Revolution
• Fenton History Center
• Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
• James Prendergast Public Library
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Lucille Ball Little Theatre
• Martz Kohl Observatory
• Marvin Community House
• National Comedy Center (preregistration required due to limited capacity)
• Northwest Arena
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History
• Spire Theater
• Tot Spot
• Venue 31

The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for this FREE day at many of our local museums and attractions.

This year’s Doors Open Jamestown event is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at locations across the city.

Doors Open Jamestown features free admission to greater Jamestown area attractions, raffle prizes at each location, restaurant specials and more. The event is sponsored by Jamestown Up Close, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce with support from participating attractions and merchants.

This year’s participants include:

• Audubon Community Nature Center
• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Dykeman Young Gallery and Vintage Emporium
• Fenton History Center
• Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
• James Prendergast Library
• Lucile M. Wright Air Museum
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Lucille Ball Little Theater
• Martz Observatory
• Northwest Arena
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.

For more information on Doors Open Jamestown or for a list of participating venues, restaurants and stores, visit DoorsOpenJamestown.com or check out the event’s Facebook page.

George Carlin (1937-2008)

JAMESTOWN – The National Comedy Center (NCC) has acquired the archives of George Carlin.

The acquisition was announced Tuesday by the comedian’s daughter, Kelly Carlin, at a private event in New York hosted by the NCC.

The contents of the Carlin archive contain material saved by the comedian over his 50-plus-year career, and will be utilized in the Center’s forthcoming museum experience—scheduled to open in Jamestown in 2017.

The event, Satire and Democracy: Empowering the Citizenry with Comedy, was held at The Paley Center for Media, and featured a panel discussion with Lewis Black, Robert Klein, Larry Wilmore and Lizz Winstead recorded for the Comedy Center’s archives. The panel was held in tribute to George Carlin, who passed away in 2008 and would have been 79 years old tomorrow.

Kliph Nesteroff, author of “The Comedians: Drunks, Thieves, Scoundrels and the History of American Comedy,” moderated the discussion and was announced last evening as the Chief Curator of the Comedy Center’s forthcoming museum experience.

A manuscript containing notes by George Carlin for one of his appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show is one of dozens of items from the Carlin Collection that will soon be housed in the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY

The Carlin archive includes his extensive creative files, annotated set lists, handwritten journals, scrapbooks, awards, letters, clothing, arrest records and countless hours of video and audio recordings containing both released and unreleased material.

Archive images and an audio sample can be found at:www.NationalComedyCenter.org/Carlin-Archive

“There comes a time in one’s life when it’s time to let go of our parent’s stuff. For me this has been a literal process. Through the writing of my memoir and touring my solo show, I’ve gotten to be with my father in many ways, and let go of, honor and transform our past together,” said Kelly Carlin in a statement. “I am truly excited that there will be a place for my dad’s stuff—permanently. The folks at the National Comedy Center are thoughtful, respectful and excited about the art of comedy. I can think of no other place for my dad’s legacy to be permanently honored, archived and preserved for future generations.”

Journey Gunderson, Executive Director of the National Comedy Center, added, “George Carlin helped redefine the art form of stand-up comedy and we are honored to help steward his legacy in this way. With this incredible archive we can provide a window into his creative process for generations to come.”

A non-profit cultural institution dedicated to the celebration of comedy the National Comedy Center is a $50 million project funded by public-private partnership. To date it has been awarded more than $3.5 million from New York State, Empire State Development and I Love NY. Design of the immersive, interactive visitor experience has been provided by renowned creative firm Jack Rouse Associates and interactive specialist Local Projects, who was recently awarded a Cannes International Creativity award for its work on the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

“The National Comedy Center’s museum will take guests on a personalized, interactive comedic journey through time, and across all media types, in a unique and fun way,” said Tom Benson, Chairman of the project. “It will preserve, protect and trace the lineage between comedy of the past and the future so that it will live and be relevant forever.”

The National Comedy Center’s ground-breaking weekend for the forthcoming museum took place last August and featured Jerry Seinfeld, Nick Offerman, the award-winning creative team of David Letterman’s 33-year career, and the families of Milton Berle, George Carlin, Harold Ramis, and Joan Rivers.

The project embodies Lucille Ball’s vision for her hometown of Jamestown to become a destination for the celebration of the comedic arts.  The organization operates the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, and for the last 25 years has produced the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival with performers including Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Joan Rivers, Ray Romano, Bob Newhart, The Smothers Brothers and more than 100 other comedic artists.

The Comedy Center’s 2016 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, August 4-7, will feature comedians Lewis Black, Trevor Noah and Brian Regan, panel discussions featuring screenwriter-directors the Farrelly Brothers, and the daughters of Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor.