National Comedy Center opens in Western NY with big names, funny exhibits (photos)
If you love to laugh, there’s a new museum for you in Western New York.
The National Comedy Center opened its doors Wednesday in “I Love Lucy” star Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, N.Y. According to the Associated Press, the $50 million cultural institution chronicles humor from its origins to the present with a mix of interactive exhibits, a hologram theater, memorabilia from movies and TV shows, and artifacts from legendary standup comedians like the late George Carlin’s archives.
“The story of comedy lives here,” a marquee sign says.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo helped cut the ribbon on the nonprofit center, which received $9 million in state funding. The House of Representatives on July 23 unanimously approved a bill designating it as the nation’s official comedy center, and Senate action is expected soon.
Lewis Black and Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand were part of the opening day events Wednesday. Amy Schumer, Dan Aykroyd, Lily Tomlin, Fran Drescher and more are scheduled to appear during the grand opening celebration this week.