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Original Bay Bridge Troll to be Featured in Oakland Museum of California’s Gallery of California History

(OAKLAND, CA)—The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) and the state Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee (TBPOC) announce that the original Bay Bridge Troll will be on view at the Museum starting November 6, 2013, and continuing through February 26, 2014. The troll’s appearance coincides with the on-view dates for the major exhibition Above and Below: Stories From Our Changing Bay. The media is invited to the document the installation of the troll into OMCA’s Gallery of California History, and to interview the troll’s creator and key spokespersons, on Tuesday, November 5, at 10 am, at the Oakland Museum of California.

PHOTO AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY

When: Tuesday, November 5, 2013, 10 am
What:  Photo opportunity to capture the installation of the original Bay Bridge troll in OMCA’s Gallery of California History. Bill Roan, who fabricated the troll in 1989, and spokespersons from OMCA and the TBPOC will be available for interviews.
Where: Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland    
OMCA is conveniently located one block from the Lake Merritt BART station. Parking is available in OMCA’s Oak Street parking garage for this press event.

ABOUT THE BAY BRIDGE TROLL

Crafted by local artist Bill Roan, the Bay Bridge Troll was secretly welded to the original East Span in 1989 by ironworkers repairing damage caused by the Loma Prieta earthquake. In August 2013, workers removed the troll when the old East Span was permanently closed to traffic. In Nordic mythology, trolls are master builders, metal workers and protectors of treasure who live under bridges. Many people consider the troll a good-luck icon that dutifully protected the old bridge until the new East Span could be completed. This limited-time viewing, made possible with the cooperation of the TBPOC, coincides with the on-view dates of OMCA’s major exhibition Above and Below: Stories From Our Changing Bay, which features a special section dedicated to the Bay Bridge.