National Comedy Center facts for kids
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| Established | August 1, 2018 |
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| Location | 201 West 2nd Street (West 2nd Street at Washington Street) Jamestown, New York 14701 |
| Public transit access | Via (Jamestown station) Chautauqua Area Regional Transit System Coach USA Amtrak Thruway |
The National Comedy Center is a special museum in the United States. It is all about comedy! This fun place is located in Jamestown, New York. This is the hometown of the famous comedian Lucille Ball.
The museum first opened its doors in August 2018. It quickly became very popular. In its first year, about 66,000 people visited. The museum was officially named the US's cultural institution for comedy. The United States Congress gave it this title in February 2019.
The National Comedy Center shows the history of comedy. It highlights the artists, writers, and others who helped comedy grow. This includes everything from old vaudeville shows to modern internet memes.
When you visit, you get a "Laugh Band" wristband. This band helps create a "humor profile" for you. The museum then shows you content based on what you find funny. You can see funny acts from silly slapstick to clever satire. You can also try making your own comedy. This includes doing stand-up, making funny faces, or creating a comic strip.
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Comedy Stars Support the Center
Many people in the entertainment world support the National Comedy Center. They donate items related to famous comedians. These items help the museum tell the story of comedy.
Donors and Their Contributions
Many famous comedians and their families have given items. These include Dan Aykroyd, Carol Burnett, and Jerry Seinfeld. The families of George Carlin, Andy Kaufman, and Harold Ramis have also donated. Even the estate of Betty White has contributed.
Big entertainment companies also help. NBC Universal, Paramount Pictures, and Warner Brothers have provided items. The center also manages the Johnny Carson archive. This is done through a partnership with another museum.
Comedy Advisory Board
The museum has an advisory board. This board includes many important people in comedy. They help guide the museum's work. Some past and present members include Lewis Black, Paula Poundstone, Jim Gaffigan, and Amy Poehler.
Awards and Recognition
The National Comedy Center has received many awards. People magazine called it one of the "100 Reasons to Love America" in June 2019.
TIME magazine also recognized the museum in August 2019. They named it one of the "World's Greatest Places." It was one of only nine US attractions on their list.
In January 2019, USA Today 10Best named it the "Best New Attraction" in the country. It was ranked as the number one museum. Condé Nast Traveler also praised it in September 2018. They called it "one of the best museums in the country."
Learning About Comedy
The National Comedy Center works to save and share comedy history. It partners with artists and their families. This helps preserve important comedy materials. These materials show how comedy has shaped American culture.
Interactive Exhibits
The museum has over 50 interactive exhibits. These exhibits show the history of comedy. They use old documents, artifacts, and media. This helps visitors learn about comedy from its beginnings to today.
Educational Programs
The center also offers educational programs. Many famous comedians have been part of these programs. Some names include Tiffany Haddish, George Lopez, Jay Leno, and Jimmy Fallon.
In April 2020, the center started "National Comedy Center Anywhere." This online platform shares content from the museum. It includes interviews with comedians and creators.
Carl Reiner Archives
In March 2021, the museum's archives got a new name. They became "The National Comedy Center’s Carl Reiner Department of Archives and Preservation." This was done to honor Carl Reiner. He was a big supporter of the center. His personal archives are now kept there.
See also
