BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has drawn more than 61,000 visitors in its opening six weeks and many of those patrons have come from out of state.
The museum in Bentonville funded by the fortune of Wal-Mart heiress Alice Walton opened on Nov. 11. Arkansas Business reports (http://is.gd/teVoF1 ) the museum drew 61,113 visitors through Dec. 21.
Bentonville Mayor Bob McCaslin says it will take a few months for tourism tax numbers to come in but he expects to see increased visitor spending as a result of the museum's opening. He says the city has been getting recognition from travel publications and that, anecdotally, he's seeing more visitors.
A museum spokesman says visitors signing in have come from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and points in between.
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