FLORENCE — The evangelical group Answers In Genesis intends to raise by spring the steel superstructure on a 50,000-square-foot museum dedicated to creationism, its president announced Saturday.

        Ken Ham said the Answers in Genesis' Creation Museum and Family Discovery Center is now scheduled to open no later than early 2004. Previous published reports had the completion date scheduled for this summer.

        Much of the delay, Mr. Ham said, was caused by getting construction-related permits, as well as securing approval for a sewage treatment plant for the facility.

        Earlier this week, the group announced the hiring of an exhibit director. Patrick Marsh, who recently moved to Florence from Japan, will design the displays for the museum, the second in the country devoted to creationism. San Diego is home to a 3,500-square-foot facility.

        “We want to make sure we use Mr. Marsh's abilities to make the displays as professional and spectacular and possible,” Mr. Ham said.

        In 18 months, the group has raised $5 million of the $14 million needed. The museum is under construction on 47 acres near Interstate 275. The site is just west of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron.

        Charities across the country have reported a decline in donations since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but Mr. Ham said money to his group has continued to flow in.

        “The people who support us are very committed to our ministry,” he said. “They continue to support this project even though Sept. 11 upset a lot of things.”

        Mr. Marsh's career highlights include coordinating 50 designers to prepare for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, as well as designing the Jaws and King Kongattractions at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla.

        Mr. Marsh, who is in Japan, couldn't be reached for comment.

        The museum will present what organizers say is the simple, factual account of the history of the world, as described in Genesis, the first book of the Old Testament. It will feature life-size replicas of dinosaurs, a DNA exhibit, fossils and interactive exhibits.

        Mr. Ham said he has warehouses with potential exhibits, some purchased from a defunct science museum in Baltimore.

        “Even if people in the Tristate don't agree with our message, I think they will be impressed by our displays,” Mr. Ham said.

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