The Washington Design Center has been purchased for $50 million and will house The Green Collection in a to-be-named museum of the Bible. The collection is known as the world’s largest private assemblage of rare biblical texts, archaeological evidence, and artifacts, with over 40,000 significant holdings, including parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This week it was announced that the collection will find a permanent home in Washington, D.C. at 300 D Street SW, about three blocks from the U.S. Capitol building and the Smithsonian.
According to Mark DeMoss, a spokesperson, the museum will emphasize how the Bible came to be, its impact on the world, and the story that it tells. The texts and artifacts will also be available for scholarly study, after extensive renovations at the new location. More details can be secured at DeMossNews.com. Dr. Jerry Pattengale (pictured), faculty member at Indiana Wesleyan University, is the Director of the Green Scholars Initiative. The Green Collection has been one of the major projects of the Green family, who are the owners of Hobby Lobby Stores, founded by David and Barbara Green.
The Greens have also been visionary supporters of Christian higher education, due to their passion to see young men and women trained in the Word of God. Tyler Green, a grandson of the founders, and an alumnus of Indiana Wesleyan University, previously announced a generous family gift to Wesley Seminary. The $2.5 million gift helped fund the new seminary building which is currently under construction in Marion, Ind.
(Photos of an early New Testament manuscript, the Washington D.C. building, and Dr. Pattengale are courtesy of The Green Collection.)