The intention is to have it standing as proof that the stories of the Bible are true. The ark is built based on dimensions in the Bible. Inside are museum-style exhibits: displays of Noah’s family along with rows of cages containing animal replicas, including dinosaurs. It’s estimated it will draw 2 million visitors only in its first year, putting it on par with some of the big-ticket attractions in nearby Cincinnati.
The construction is controversial and had from the beginning opponents, most of them from atheist groups. “Basically, this boat is a church raising scientifically illiterate children and lying to them about science,” said Jim Helton, one of them. However, the Noah’s ark in Kentucky will be important even for increasing the tax level collected in the state.
