DIAMOND, Mo. — Construction of the new discovery center at George Washington Carver National Monument is on schedule, according to the monument’s superintendent.

The center, which will cost more than $5 million, is expected to open its doors late this fall, said Superintendent Scott Bentley. He said an exact date for the opening has not been determined.

“Things will move much more rapidly over the next few weeks,” Bentley said.

The unusually warm and dry winter weather has been a good thing for construction. Bentley said crews did masonry work throughout January.

Construction of the building is roughly 30 percent complete. The crews now are focusing on the building’s 2,400-square-foot storm shelter.

The storm shelter is an important part of the building, Bentley said. The monument is a popular field-trip destination, and the shelter is needed to protect students from dangerous weather, he said.
“It’s a high need when your largest visitation time from school groups is in the nicer fall and spring weather,” Bentley said.
The shelter will double as a multipurpose room during good weather.

The center will be the culmination of a 43-year-old goal. Bentley said park officials have wanted to expand the educational outreach of the park since 1963.

Students will have greater interactive educational opportunities in the fields of math, science and history. The center is in keeping with Carver’s role as an educator, Bentley said.

“This will be one great added enhancement that will increase the numbers we’ll be able to draw,” Bentley said.

More space

The discovery center will provide 18,000 square feet of space. The monument’s current visitors center has 3,300 square feet.