A pipe dream no more: As National Comedy Center turns 5, its collection and reputation keep growing
Will Karr
News Staff Reporter
Updated
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Austin Cook, 10, of Royal Oak, Mich., tries his hand at stand-up in the National Comedy Center in Jamestown.
Derek Gee/Buffalo News
Visitors check out exhibits at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown. In five years the center, top, has parlayed the attention it has received from national media into the development of exhibits that are drawing a range of visitors from Western New York and beyond
Photos by Derek Gee/Buffalo News
The iconic costume from Zach Galifianakis in "The Hangover" on display at the National Comedy Center.
Derek Gee/Buffalo News
Visitors analyze their sense of comedy after touring the National Comedy Center in Jamestown.
Derek Gee/Buffalo News
Brothers Ethan, 5, and Aiden, 3, of Akron, Ohio, laugh hysterically as they sit on a whoopie cushion bench.
Derek Gee/Buffalo News
Lillian Cook, 5, of Royal Oak, Mich., tries her hand at creating a viral meme at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown.
Derek Gee/Buffalo News
Karen and Dennis Priore of Buffalo compete in an interactive game where they try to make each other laugh at the National Comedy Center. In other exhibits, visitors can make memes, design cartoons and have a try at matching the facial expressions of their favorite comedians.
Derek Gee/Buffalo News
A photograph of Lucille Ball greets visitors at the entrance to the National Comedy Center in Jamestown.
It took eight years for the National Comedy Center in Jamestown to travel a bumpy road from idea to reality. Even when it was just a few days from opening, Executive Director Journey Gunderson still wasn't sure of its prospects for success.
Visitors check out exhibits at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown. In five years the center, top, has parlayed the attention it has received from national media into the development of exhibits that are drawing a range of visitors from Western New York and beyond
Karen and Dennis Priore of Buffalo compete in an interactive game where they try to make each other laugh at the National Comedy Center. In other exhibits, visitors can make memes, design cartoons and have a try at matching the facial expressions of their favorite comedians.
