Image by flickr user Peter GeneImage by yorktown.jpg The aircraft carrier Yorktown is one of the biggest draws at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant.

The Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant saw more than 12,000 more tickets sold between July 2007 and April than the year before, according to the latest figures, and the $1.5 million Medal of Honor Museum renovation, finished in May '07, is credited with much of that new traffic.

From The Post and Courier:

"When you have something new and compelling, often you reap the benefit of that," (Patriots Point Communications Director Jim) McElroy said. Prior to the current fiscal year, the museum had been experiencing a five-year trend of declining attendance, McElroy said.

The 7 percent increase in ticket sales is attributed to more tourists going to the museum, he said. The result is more funds for the ongoing task of maintaining aging ships, such as the Yorktown.

If you're interested in adding to the museum's ticket numbers, Patriots Point is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., except for Christmas. Tickets costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and active-duty military, $8 for kids 6 to 11, and nothing for those younger than 6.