sentences:  Voted the 2008-2009 Alabama Attraction of the Year, nominated as Best Family Attraction in Mobile for ten consecutive years and a Top 15 Science Center in the Country, the Exploreum is the only science technology center serving south Alabama, south Mississippi and northwest Florida.In 1976 the Junior League of Mobile provided funding for research and development of a hands-on interactive museum for the children of Mobile, with this initial commitment directly leading to the creation of The Explore Center, Inc., a private, non-profit educational incorporation, and a Board of Trustees.The board eventually raised $1.3 million to build a contemporary building on Springhill Avenue adjacent to the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, and the Gulf Coast Exploreum "Museum of Science" was opened in 1983.