King Tut’s Priceless Treasures to Visit Boston in June for the First Time in a Generation
“KING TUT: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh”
Commemorates Tomb Discovery Centenary with
Unprecedented Collection of World-Heritage Artifacts
BOSTON – Nearly 100 years after the discovery that captivated the world, KING TUT: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh – the largest collection of Tutankhamun’s treasures ever to travel out of Egypt – will open at The Saunders Castle at Park Plaza in Boston for a limited engagement beginning June 13, 2020.
Produced by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and IMG, with the Museum of Science, Boston serving as the official museum partner for the engagement, the immersive exhibition recently became France’s most attended of all time with more than 1.4 million visitors, before opening to sold-out crowds at London’s Saatchi Gallery.
Featuring more than 150 original artifacts from King Tut’s tomb, 60 are on their first journey outside Egypt. Visitors from Boston and beyond have a final chance to behold the golden king’s treasures before they return to Cairo to join the full permanent collection at the new Grand Egyptian Museum, which is supported by exhibition proceeds.
“This exhibit is one of the most interesting and exciting in the world, and I’m proud that Boston will be the only Northeast city to host this collection,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “This is a wonderful opportunity for people from all across the region to see history first-hand, and we look forward to welcoming visitors from across the country to experience the King Tut collection.”
The last time an exhibition of King Tut’s treasures visited Boston was in February 1963. Nearly five times the size of that tour which presented 32 objects, KING TUT: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh explores the meaning of the items in the royal tomb and the dual storyline of its discovery against all odds. The pharaohs who succeeded King Tut nearly managed to erase him from history. Had British archaeologist Howard Carter not persisted in his quest, the boy king’s legacy and treasures could have been forever lost to the sands of Egypt.
“This King Tut exhibition is one of the biggest cultural attractions in the world. We expect Massachusetts residents and visitors alike to flock by the hundreds of thousands to see this important and historic collection in its only Northeast showing, in turn bringing tremendous economic impact to our state,” said Keiko Orrall, Executive Director, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
The ancient Egyptians believed death was also a rebirth. Through nine immersive galleries that incorporate digital content, contextual material, audio and custom soundscapes, visitors will follow King Tut’s passage into everlasting life, discovering how his funerary objects were used on the perilous journey. As they explore his life, visitors will become part of perpetuating the Pharaoh’s immortality: to speak his name is to make him live.
“There are very few stories – before or since – that captivate the public in the way that King Tut’s does,” said John Norman, Managing Director of Exhibitions, IMG. “To see these objects in person is to have a window into another age where magic and mystery reigned. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
FedEx, the tour’s official logistics provider, will utilize its global network to transport the artifacts to Boston, the only Northeast U.S. stop on the exhibition’s 10-city world tour following residences in Los Angeles, Paris and London.
“Boston is thrilled to welcome the exhibition KING TUT: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh in 2020, an exciting year for the city as we host many iconic events and exhibitions,” said Martha Sheridan, President and CEO at Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Boston joins other world-renowned cities as a host destination for the touring King Tut exhibition, which features more than 150 original objects from his tomb. The exhibition will be on display at a first-rate venue, The Saunders Castle at Park Plaza, and we are excited to promote this unique installation as yet another compelling reason to visit Boston in 2020.”
TICKETS & INFORMATION
Due to anticipated sellouts as seen in prior cities, a ticket lottery granting early access to tickets launched today at www.kingtutexhibition.com. Registration is free, and all registrants will have an opportunity to secure tickets on a lottery basis ahead of the general public in early 2020.
Museum of Science, Boston members will receive member exclusives including advance access to tickets, with details at https://www.mos.org/tut. Tickets for groups of 10 or more are on sale now at 833-4TUTTIX (833-488-8849).
As announced by Mayor Walsh in Boston today, in order to ensure as many schoolchildren as possible experience the exhibition, organizers are offering Boston Public School students free tickets to attend. Schools in the Boston Public Schools jurisdiction that receive Title 1 funding are eligible. Qualifying educators may register for free tickets at www.kingtutexhibition.com (limited quantities available on a first-come, first-serve basis).
KING TUT: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh
Opens June 13 at The Saunders Castle at Park Plaza
130 Columbus Avenue, Boston, Mass.
Discover more at kingtutexhibition.com
