Thursday community leaders and museum founder and president Alice Walton held a special ceremony. Since construction began last fall the footprint of the museum is slowly emerging out of the wooded landscape. The Walton family donated the 100-acres for the project-- which is also the very same land the Walton children grew up on. "On behalf of my family I would like to dedicate this park to our mother, Helen Walton. It was her dream that created this place," Alice Walton said. The dedication ceremony marks the first milestone for the museum since it's announcement in 2005. For many community leaders-- this was the first time they laid eyes on the site. "I think this is one of the most exciting things that's happened in my 32 years in Northwest Arkansas," guest Dick Trammel said. "There's not a lot of places we can go to be inspired or to learn and see other people's work, so it's really special that the Waltons are investing in this," said Jennifer Admire, winner of the Third Congressional District Art Competition. The museum is expected to open in late 2009.
