Alcatraz East Crime Museum Opening New Temporary Exhibit and Hosting TBI Meet and Greet with K9 Officers
Alcatraz East Crime Museum, located in Pigeon Forge, is unveiling a new temporary exhibit for the anniversary of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman murders
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (May 23, 2024)— The brutal murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman led to news stories that people still talk about and are interested in today. With the 30th anniversary of those murders being June 12, 2024, a new temporary exhibit will be opened at Alcatraz East Crime Museum in memory of the crime that captivated the nation’s attention. The exhibit will open June 7, 2024, run through September 27, 2024, and is included in the regular admission ticket.
“This was a horrific crime that continues to interest the nation, and we want to honor the lives of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman,” says Ally Pennington, artifacts and programs manager at Alcatraz East Crime Museum. “We invite people to come share memories about them and learn more about this case.”
The new exhibit, “Chasing Justice: The Crime that Captured the Nation,” will feature family photos, information about the crime and victims, Nicole’s china cup and saucer, and ties Simpson wore at the trial. The exhibit honors the memory of the victims and provides historical information about the murders and trials that followed.
When Simpson and Goldman were found murdered in front of her Los Angeles home, her ex-husband, O.J. Simpson, was charged with the murders. O.J. was a well-known retired football player and the events made headlines across the nation. There were 95 million people who tuned in to watch the slow-speed police chase with O.J. in the white Bronco, which is currently on display at Alcatraz East Crime Museum. There were also 150 million people who tuned in to watch the not-guilty verdict be delivered on October 3, 1995.
“We are also hosting an event with K9 officers from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation this month,” added Pennington. “This is a great opportunity to meet the K9 officers and learn more about their important role in law enforcement.”
The TBI meet and greet will be held on June 28, 2024, from 10 am to 12 pm. The event is free with regular admission tickets. Guests will learn about what K9 officers do and be able to meet some of them in person. In the U.S., around 50,000 K9 officers carry out specific duties. The dogs, most often German shepherds, Belgian malinois, bloodhounds, or labrador retrievers, are hard-working and serve various roles, including accelerant detection and electronic detection.
The museum features over 100 exhibits and interactives and four temporary exhibit spaces, with many famous items on display, including Al Capone’s rosary, Ted Bundy’s dental molds, and Charles Manson’s acoustic guitar. They also hold various programs throughout the year, including an annual highlight of 9/11 and a biennial art contest that puts graffiti in the spotlight. This top museum is open at 10 am daily. The last tickets are sold 60 minutes before closing. These interactive experiences are available for an additional fee for birthday parties, school groups, scouts, team building, or other special events. To get a discounted rate for groups of 15 or more, complete the online form and allow up to 72 hours for confirmation. For more information about tickets, discounts, temporary exhibits, and all the museum offers, visit the site: https://www.alcatrazeast.com.
Alcatraz East Crime Museum has updated its board of crime experts, which includes Derwin Bradley, a retired master police officer; James R. Knight, a crime writer; Robin Maynard, a certified crime scene investigator in Florida; Derek Newport, a law enforcement veteran who worked for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for 20 years; and Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., who presided over the notorious case against Casey Anthony, among others.
About Alcatraz East
Alcatraz East is the most arresting crime museum in the United States. Guests of all ages can encounter a unique journey into the history of American crime, crime-solving, and our justice system. Through interactive exhibits and original artifacts, Alcatraz East is an entertaining and educational experience for all ages – so much fun it’s a crime! This family attraction is at The Island’s entrance, 2757 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN. The last ticket is sold 60 minutes before closing. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.alcatrazeast.com.
