Here at the Museum of Science, curiosity is not just welcomed, it’s ignited. Founded in 1830 as the Boston Society of Natural History, the Museum of Science stands as a testament to Boston’s commitment to scientific exploration. The Museum of Science is now New England’s most attended cultural institution.
More than 1.4 million people visit the Museum of Science annually. They come to explore more than 500 interactive exhibits. These exhibits share information about science, technology, engineering, and math. The Museum of Science has a planetarium. It also has one of the world’s largest Van de Graaff generators and New England’s only domed IMAX theater.
Originally, a group of men wanted to share scientific experiences. They founded the institution to combine all types of science and technology. For many years, people called it the Boston Museum of Natural History. The Museum of Science moved to its current location in 1951.
In 1955, the MBTA opened the Science Park subway station. This made access to the Museum of Science easier. The Charles Hayden Planetarium opened three years later. Over the years, the Museum of Science has continued to expand through renovations. The main entrance even straddles the line between Boston and Cambridge. A marker on the floor shows where the cities meet.
The Blue Wing serves as the main hall. It houses most of the Museum of Science’s exhibits. You can walk through a Butterfly Garden. You can also explore optical illusions. Other exhibits show how math plays a role in daily life. You can also learn about electricity and the laws of motion. Dinosaurs, the human body, and nanotechnology are also featured. The Yawkey Gallery connects the natural world and man-made designs. The To the Moon exhibit shows how astronauts explored space.
The Green Wing features the New England Habitats and A Bird’s World galleries. New England Habitats showcases the region’s biodiversity. See rocky shorelines and lush forests. A Bird’s World displays every avian species found in New England.
The Red Wing houses the Discovery Center. Visitors can do experiments and talk to scientists there. It is also home to the Hayden Planetarium and the Mugar Omni Theater. The planetarium offers shows that give an awe-inspiring glimpse of the heavens. The IMAX theater surrounds viewers with larger-than-life images.
The Museum of Science also has a polarized light collage. It also has a stairway with photoelectric cells that trigger musical sounds. A large rolling ball sculpture demonstrates Archimedes’ principle.
Michael Bloomberg used to visit the Museum of Science as a child. He has since donated $50 million to the museum. The gift supports the Education Division. It is now named the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Science Education Center. Bloomberg said the Museum of Science inspired him to become an engineer, entrepreneur, and mayor.
The Museum of Science has a Public Science Common under construction. It will be a central hub for life sciences, environment, and space sciences. A memorial to Leonard Nimoy is also planned. It will feature his iconic “live long and prosper” gesture.
So, delve into the wonders within. Explore the interactive exhibits. Experience the magic of the planetarium. The Museum of Science is a place where curiosity takes flight.