Kansas City, MO. - Considered by many as the greatest archeological discovery of the last century, The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition will make its only 2007 Midwestern stop at Union Station, Feb. 8-May 13. The exhibit, developed in conjunction with the Israel Antiquities Authority, will feature 10 scrolls, some of which have never been seen before in the United States. Tickets for the exhibition are now on sale.

"Our entire community is proud to join the short list of American cities to host this monumental exhibit," Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association President Rick Hughes said. "Union Station's presentation fits in perfectly with Kansas City's other world-class museums and cultural attractions that visitors can discover."

The Dead Sea Scrolls date back to biblical times and include some of the oldest surviving texts that later formed the books of the Hebrew Bible, known to Christians as the Old Testament. The scrolls lay hidden in caves near the Dead Sea outside Jerusalem for 2,000 years. A Bedouin shepherd discovered them in 1946. The Union Station exhibit will also include more than 100 artifacts discovered at the ancient settlement of Qumran near the Dead Sea. The exhibit will tell the story of the scrolls and that of the people and community of Qumran.

"We are thrilled to host this amazing exhibit," Union Station President and CEO Andi Udris said. "It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors on so many levels-from the science, to the history, to the biblical studies, this exhibit will enthrall all who come to see it."

Tickets for the exhibit are $19.95. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged. Call 816-460-2020 for tickets. A lecture series will be held on Tuesday evenings during the run of the exhibit. Tickets for the series can be purchased separately or in conjunction with exhibit.

Union Station will extend its hours to meet the anticipated demand for the exhibit. The exhibit is open 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Monday.

For more information about the Union Station exhibit or the history of the Dead Sea Scrolls, visit unionstation.org/deadseascrolls.

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Photo Credit:  Photos Courtesy of the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association

	Downtown Skyline w/ Union Station Caption: Built in 1919, Kansas City's Union Station graces the downtown skyline. This image is not available for download. Download:  Click here to request image.
	Union Station Kansas City, exterior Caption: Union Station opened in 1914 as the nation's second largest train station, and today features a science center, theatre, exhibits and dining. Download:  Low-Res; High-Res