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The '''Ark Encounter''' is a $150 million tourist attraction that is expected to open in 2016 in northern [[Kentucky]]. It is predominantly a full-scale model of [[Noah's Ark]]. Influential [[Christian apologetics]] [[ministry]] [[Answers in Genesis]] is teaming up with the [[Free market|private]] for-profit company [[Ark Encounter LLC]] to build the privately funded attraction. The Troyer Group from [[Indiana]] is responsible for the actual construction while Patrick Marsh, the [[Creation Museum]] design director, will be designing and "theming" the attractions. The announcement for its construction came in December 2010.

The '''Ark Encounter''' is an evangelistic tourist attraction that opened on July 7, 2016 in northern [[Kentucky]]. It is predominantly a full-scale model of [[Noah's Ark]]. Influential [[Christian apologetics]] [[ministry]] [[Answers in Genesis]] teamed up with the [[Free market|private]] for-profit company [[Ark Encounter LLC]] to build the attraction. The Troyer Group from [[Indiana]] is responsible for the actual construction while Patrick Marsh, the [[Creation Museum]] design director, designed and "themed" the attractions. The announcement for its construction came in December 2010.

The attraction is more than just a life-sized Noah's Ark; it includes a petting zoo, a replica of the [[Tower of Babel]], a [[Dark Ages|medieval]] village, and even a historical Biblical journey from [[Abraham]] to the [[Red Sea crossing|parting]] of the [[Red Sea]]. The Ark attraction is not only an awe-inspiring and [[history|historically]] accurate center of [[Bible|Biblical]] displays, but an [[education]]al experience. The huge project will educate visitors with a unique, hands-on approach on the details of Biblical history and why it is so important to appreciate [[Noah]] and his great service to [[God]] and the [[Earth]].

The ark cost $100 million dollars and is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, based off of the dementions given in the Bible.<ref>Weed, Alexis (July 8, 2016). [http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/07/us/noahs-ark-kentucky/ Noah's Ark Opens at Kentucky Theme Park]. ''CNN''. Retreived August 5, 2016.</ref>

 

==History, building, and opening==

In January 2014, Ham announced that funding for the project had fallen short, and asked donors for $55 million.<ref>Chappatta, Brian (January 3, 2014). [http://www.kentucky.com/2014/01/03/3016554/noahs-ark-park-in-nky-risks-collapsing.html Planned Ark park in Northern Ky. faces collapse without more bond buyers]</ref> However, because of a high-profile debate between AiG president [[Ken Ham]] and science educator and evolutionist [[Bill Nye]], interest and support for the Ark Encounter returned, and AiG was able to raise enough money so construction could begin in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/28/creation-museum-kentucky-noahs-ark-museum-ken-ham |title= Creation Museum's $73m Noah's Ark park to begin construction in Kentucky |department= World news |newspaper= [[The Guardian]] |agency= [[Associated Press]] |date= 28 February 2014 |accessdate= 13 April 2014}}</ref>

The project is expected to have up to 900 staff and provide many much needed jobs for the state of Kentucky. Kentucky [[governor]] [[Steve Beshear]] wisely ignored the typical [[Censorship|liberal, atheist prejudice]] against the building of an inspiring [[Christianity|Christian]] attraction and supported its construction. The [[family|family-oriented]] Ark is expected to enlighten as many as 1.6 million visitors a year. The Ark Encounter will serve as a vital and beneficial Christian influence on not just the state of Kentucky but the [[United States|country]] as a whole. [[Creationism|Creationists]] such as Answers in Genesis' president [[Ken Ham]] view the Ark Encounter as a very important undertaking which will provide an important educational and [[faith|spiritual]] center for Christians to get closer to their faith and for non-believers to realize and appreciate the authenticity of Christianity and its deep, historical roots.  

Before the opening, AiG sued the state of Kentucky after officials blocked AiG from receiving a sales tax tourism incentive worth up to $18 million because AiG would use the Ark Encounter to share the gospel. On January 25, 2016, Federal Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove ruled in AiG's favor, ruling that blocking the incentives from AiG was unconstitutional and violated their [[First Amendment]] protections.<ref>Lovan, Dylan (January 25, 2016). [http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/grant-county/ark-encounter-builder-wins-legal-battle-over-tax-incentives Ark Encounter builder wins legal battle over tax incentive]. ''WCPO.com'' Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref><ref>Caproni, Erin (January 26, 2016). [http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2016/01/judge-rules-on-ark-encounter-incentives.html Judge rules on Ark Encounter incentives]. ''Cincinatti Business Courier''. Retrieved August 5 2016.</ref><ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/religious-freedom/victory-ark-encounter-federal-court/ Victory for AiG/Ark Encounter in Federal Court]. ''Answers in Genesis''. January 25, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref>

In January 2014, Ham announced that funding for the project had fallen short, and asked donors for $55 million.<ref>Chappatta, Brian (January 3, 2014). [http://www.kentucky.com/2014/01/03/3016554/noahs-ark-park-in-nky-risks-collapsing.html Planned Ark park in Northern Ky. faces collapse without more bond buyers]</ref> However, because of a high-profile debate between AiG president [[Ken Ham]] and science educator and evolutionist [[Bill Nye]], interest and support for the Ark Encounter returned, and AiG was able to raise enough money so construction could begin in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/28/creation-museum-kentucky-noahs-ark-museum-ken-ham |title= Creation Museum's $73m Noah's Ark park to begin construction in Kentucky |department= World news |newspaper= [[The Guardian]] |agency= [[Associated Press]] |date= 28 February 2014 |accessdate= 13 April 2014}}</ref>

On July 7, 2016, the Ark Encounter was opened to the general public in Williamstown, Kentucky.<ref>Ham, Ken. [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/07/07/ark-encounter-opens-to-the-public/ Ark Encounter Opens to the Public!] ''Answers in Genesis''. July 7, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The opening date, 7/7, was intentionally chosen to coincide with Genesis 7:7. The next day, Bill Nye visited the Ark Encounter upon invitation from Ham.<ref>Ham, Ken. [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/07/08/bill-nye-visits-ark-encounter/ Bill Nye Visits the Ark Encounter]. ''Answers in Genesis''. July 8, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref>

The project is expected to have up to 900 staff and provide many much needed jobs for the state of Kentucky. Kentucky [[governor]] [[Steve Beshear]] wisely ignored the typical [[Censorship|liberal, atheist prejudice]] against the building of an inspiring [[Christianity|Christian]] attraction and supported its construction. However, he turned against the ark in 2014. The [[family|family-oriented]] Ark is expected to enlighten as many as 1.6 million visitors a year. The Ark Encounter will serve as a vital and beneficial Christian influence on not just the state of Kentucky but the [[United States|country]] as a whole. [[Creationism|Creationists]] such as Answers in Genesis' president [[Ken Ham]] view the Ark Encounter as a very important undertaking which will provide an important educational and [[faith|spiritual]] center for Christians to get closer to their faith and for non-believers to realize and appreciate the authenticity of Christianity and its deep, historical roots.

*[http://arkencounter.com/ The Ark Encounter]

== See also ==

== See also ==

== References ==

== References ==

<references/>

 

*[http://arkencounter.com/ The Ark Encounter]

*[http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2010/12/01/ark-encounter-news-release AiG's Ark Encounter Announcement]  

*[http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2010/12/01/ark-encounter-news-release AiG's Ark Encounter Announcement]  

*[http://arkencounter.com/faq/ The Ark Encounter]

*[http://arkencounter.com/faq/ The Ark Encounter - FAQ's]

[[Category:Kentucky]][[Category:Young Earth Creationism]][[Category:Tourist Attractions]]

[[Category:Kentucky]][[Category:Young Earth Creationism]][[Category:Tourist Attractions]]