Bong Center Breaks Attendance Record

Attendance Increased by 1,600 People

SUPERIOR, Wis.-The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center’s paid admission increased by 1,627 from 2016, which is the highest increase in attendance ever for the center.

“We have renewed our marketing and freshened up our programming,” said Executive Director Hayes Scriven. “I am most proud of how the military vehicle show went for us this past August. To me it really showed that there is an audience for what we are putting out there in all ages. We had over 500 people in attendance which is truly amazing.”

In 2018 the center will continue to host many traditional speaker programs, but is also creating many more unique community events, Scriven said, like the Stuffie Boot Camp, expanding Camp Bong, and is planning the stage for a big Memorial Day event. They are also planning on adding many new unique activities to the military vehicle show.

“There is a different energy around the center these days and we couldn’t be more proud of the renewed energy at the Bong Veterans Historical Center,” said Board Chair Terry Lundberg.

The center is also in the midst of an exhibit gallery update that will bring back the major rotating exhibit program.

“For a museum to stay relevant, we need to have a reason for people to come back, and one way to do that is through major rotating exhibits,” said Scriven. “We are finally going to show people where Major Bong was in New Guinea and how he traveled from place to place over the course of the war.”

The upgrade and move will allow the center to bring back the rotating exhibit room and install Vietnam, Korea, Cold War and modern eras in the main gallery.