Newsroom
Welcome to Ripley Entertainment's official Press Site! Here you will find the latest news from all Ripley attractions as well as the latest corporate happenings.
To peruse by month, choose from the list at the right. To peruse by attraction type, choose from the list at the bottom of the page.
Ripley's VP of Communications, Tim O'Brien can be reached at obrien@ripleys.com or in his office at 615-646-7465 or on cell at 615-496-5949.
News Articles
Michelangelo’s David Makes Cross Country Journey to new Home at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Posted by Tim O'Brien on October 16, 2007St. Augustine, Fla. (Oct. 16, 2007) - An exact replica of Michelangelo's "David," an 18-foot tall hand-carved marble statue weighing 20,000 pounds has arrived at Castle Warden, home of Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, and will soon take a place of honor in the Castle's award-winning gardens.
The latest acquisition by Ripley Entertainment is a rare, precise model of the astonishing and sometimes controversial original. It is one of only two in the world carved as the original was - from a solid piece of pure Carrara Marble quarried from Pietra Santa in Tuscany, Italy. It's the same quarry where Michelangelo acquired the marble for his masterpiece.
The original David is housed in The Gallery of the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy, and is universally considered the tour de force of Michelangelo's life's work.
It took the world famous Sollazzini and Sons Studio of Florence, Italy nearly three years (1960-1962) to carve the stunning statue for the 1963 New York World's Fair. Following the exhibition, it was acquired by California millionaire Ron Fong
and installed in the gardens at the Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park, Calif. from 1965 to the present. In its 40-plus years in America it has been seen by millions and acknowledged as a wonder of artistic craftsmanship.
David is situated in the west garden of the historic Castle Warden, 19 San Marco Ave. where this work of art will be available to the public free of charge. A formal unveiling is slated to take place during the city's popular First Friday Artwalk on November 2, at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
About Ripley's Believe It or Not! - Ripley's Believe It or Not! of St. Augustine, Fla., established in 1950, is the original Believe It or Not! Odditorium in the Ripley Entertainment family, which consists of 63 attractions in 11 countries. More than 13 million people visit a Ripley's attraction each year.
High resolution photos available upon request.
Contacts:
Joanne Griffin
Ripley's Believe It Not! Museum
19 San Marco Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32084
904-824-1606
http://www.staugustine-ripleys.com/
Tim O'Brien
VP Communications
Ripley Entertainment Inc.
615-646-7465 / 615-496-5949
Obrien@ripleys.com
Monthly Arhives
Ripley’s Ghost Train Adventure Voted St. Augustine’s Best Ghost TourPosted by Tim O'Brien on October 2, 2007
Western Museum Association Invites Ripley’s Believe It or Not! to Share a Few Oddities for its Annual Meeting ExhibitPosted by Tim O'Brien on October 1, 2007