National Primate Research Exhibition Hall facts for kids
The National Primate Research Exhibition Hall (NPRX) is a planned museum in Madison, Wisconsin. It's being created by a group called the Primate Freedom Project. This museum isn't open yet because there's a legal fight over the land it wants to be on. If it opens, the NPRX plans to show exhibits, art, and information about a big topic: using primates (like monkeys) for scientific research. This is a topic many people have different opinions about.
Where the Museum Might Be
The planned spot for the NPRX has caused a lot of discussion in Madison. The museum's address would be 26 N. Charter St. This location is very close to two primate labs. These labs are the Harry Harlow Primate Psychology Laboratory and the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. Both labs are part of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Together, these labs keep over 2,000 primates for scientific studies.
After the museum project was announced, the University of Wisconsin–Madison offered $1,000,000 for the property. The University wants to use the land to make their primate research labs bigger. The person who owns the property now is trying to sell it to the University. This is happening even though they had earlier promised and agreed in writing with the animal rights activists to use the property for the museum.
On November 27, 2006, a judge named Sarah O'Brien made a decision. She sided with the activists. She said the original agreement for the property was valid. The judge ordered the property owner to sell the land to the activists. She also said the activists should get money for their legal costs. Lawyers for the property owner and spokespeople for the University of Wisconsin said they would likely try to change the judge's decision.
Rick Bogle, who started the Primate Freedom Project, said they plan to keep fighting for their rights to the property. He wants to open the museum as planned. Bogle said, "The university ... will probably be embarrassed to have the [animal rights] debate take place at the steps where this is going on. They will probably try to delay this every step of the way."
Joseph Kemnitz, who directs the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, was disappointed by the judge's decision. He said the Primate Freedom Project's efforts were "an unexpected opportunity for them to cause trouble." In an interview, Alan Fish, a University leader, said the property was "absolutely critical" for the future of primate research at the University.
The University of Wisconsin still wants to get this property for its expansion. They have not ruled out using a process called "eminent domain." This is when the government can force a sale of private property for public use.
