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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 '''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 ark cost $100 million and is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, based on the dimensions given in the Bible.<ref name="Weed">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> It is described as the largest timber-frame structure in America<ref>Sherter, Alain (July 7, 2016). [http://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Ark-park-teaches-Creationism-but-will-it-create-jobs-385829691.html Visitors, protesters turn out for Ark Encounter opening in Grant County]. ''WKYT''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref name="Colorado">[http://www.coloradotimberframe.com/ark-encounter/ Building a Life-size Noah’s Ark]. ''Colorado Timberframe''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> and the world.<ref>Ham, Ken (January 26, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/01/26/more-false-accusations-against-ark-refuted/ More False Accusations Against the Ark Refuted!]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref>

The ark cost $100 million and is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, based on the dimensions given in the Bible.<ref name="Weed">Weed, Alexis (July 8, 2016). [https://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/07/us/noahs-ark-kentucky/ Noah's Ark Opens at Kentucky Theme Park]. ''CNN''. Retreived August 5, 2016.</ref> It is described as the largest timber-frame structure in America<ref>Sherter, Alain (July 7, 2016). [http://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Ark-park-teaches-Creationism-but-will-it-create-jobs-385829691.html Visitors, protesters turn out for Ark Encounter opening in Grant County]. ''WKYT''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref><ref name="Colorado">[http://www.coloradotimberframe.com/ark-encounter/ Building a Life-size Noah’s Ark]. ''Colorado Timberframe''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> and the world.<ref>Ham, Ken (January 26, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/01/26/more-false-accusations-against-ark-refuted/ More False Accusations Against the Ark Refuted!]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref>

==History, building, and opening==

==History, building, and opening==

After the completion and success of the [[Creation Museum]], [[Ken Ham]] and AiG started focusing on building the Ark Encounter.<ref name="History">[https://answersingenesis.org/about/history/ History]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The plans for constructing the Ark Encounter were announced by AiG, along with Kentucky Governor [[Steve Beshear]] on December 1, 2010.<ref name="History"/>

After the completion and success of the [[Creation Museum]], [[Ken Ham]] and AiG started focusing on building the Ark Encounter.<ref name="History">[https://answersingenesis.org/about/history/ History]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The plans for constructing the Ark Encounter were announced by AiG, along with Kentucky Governor [[Steve Beshear]] on December 1, 2010.<ref name="History"/>

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, interest and support for the Ark Encounter returned and AiG was able to raise enough money so construction could begin in 2014, something said by the [[mainstream media]] to be because of [[Bill Nye / Ken Ham debate of February 4, 2014|a high-profile debate]] between AiG president [[Ken Ham]] and science educator and evolutionist [[Bill Nye]],<ref>{{cite news |url= https://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> even though AiG has stated that this was not the case, as it was not reasonably possible to purchase a bond after the debate.<ref>Ham, Ken & Looy, Mark (August 22, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/ark-encounter/media-misinformation-continues-ark/ Media Misinformation Continues with the Ark]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 22, 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). [https://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, interest and support for the Ark Encounter returned and AiG was able to raise enough money so construction could begin in 2014, something said by the [[mainstream media]] to be because of [[Bill Nye / Ken Ham debate of February 4, 2014|a high-profile debate]] between AiG president [[Ken Ham]] and science educator and evolutionist [[Bill Nye]],<ref>{{cite news |url= https://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> even though AiG has stated that this was not the case, as it was not reasonably possible to purchase a bond after the debate.<ref>Ham, Ken & Looy, Mark (August 22, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/ark-encounter/media-misinformation-continues-ark/ Media Misinformation Continues with the Ark]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 22, 2016.</ref>  

During the construction of the Ark Encounter, 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>

During the construction of the Ark Encounter, 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>