All About EcoTarium
MEDIA CONTACT: Sally Anne Giedrys
Communications Manager
sgiedrys@ecotarium.org
(508) 929-2738
The EcoTarium, A Museum of Science & Nature, encourages visitors to experience science and nature firsthand, indoors and out. The 55,000-square-foot museum, featuring three floors of interactive exhibits and a planetarium, and the surrounding 40 acres of woodlands and wetlands offer visitors a unique opportunity to unlimited exploration of our natural environment. EcoTarium also offers visitors a chance to see live animals indoors and out, to explore the landscape on nature trails, and to enjoy a ride on a narrow-gauge railroad.
Established in 1825 as the Worcester Lyceum of Natural History, the EcoTarium has the distinction of being among the oldest natural history societies and museums in the country. The early role of the society included presenting lectures by prominent speakers, such as Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Oliver Wendell Holmes, to promote knowledge among Worcester's residents. The Worcester Natural History Society opened the Worcester Science Center on Harrington Way in 1971.
In the fall of 1998, the museum changed its name from New England Science Center to EcoTarium to reflect its focus on the natural sciences and to present a contemporary identity. That fall, the museum also broke ground on a $19.6 million renovation and expansion project to upgrade all outdoor wildlife habitats, expand teaching and exhibit areas, improve visitor amenities and make better use of the museum's expansive grounds through new trails and a Tree Canopy Walkway. In 2005, the Board of Trustees adopted a re-articulated mission of "inspiring a passion for science and nature" in museum visitors.
Programs and Exhibits
Public programming and exhibits at EcoTarium are designed to be family-friendly, educational and fun. Natural science exhibits explore wetland ecosystems, life in New England forests, the properties of minerals, energy use and conservation. The museum hosts traveling exhibits throughout the year and offers an array of seasonal programming indoors and out. EcoTarium's programming specialists design experiential programs for the public throughout the year.
Animals
EcoTarium cares for diverse collection of animals-- insects, reptiles, fish, rodents, birds and large mammals. Among the most popular residents at EcoTarium are native-born polar bear, Kenda; two North American river otters; and two North American bald eagles. Many of the animals living at the museum arrived here due to injury, illness, or human socialization, that prevents them from living successfully in the wild. Through collaboration with the Tufts University Veterinary Wildlife Clinic and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, EcoTarium provides care and homes for injured animals. EcoTarium also participates in raise and release programs for endangered species, such as the Plymouth red-bellied cooters.
Outdoors
On 40 acres of woodlands and wetlands just two miles from downtown Worcester, EcoTarium offers an urban oasis with interpretive nature trails and a publicly accessible Tree Canopy Walkway. Visitors may stroll the Vibram Walking Trail along the lower pond and enjoy a quiet moment in the water pavilion at the shore; trace the human, geological and botanical history of Central New England on the Timescape Trail; or look for butterflies and birds along a trail through a naturalized meadow. The more adventurous can strap on a harness and helmet for a walk among the treetops on a Tree Canopy Walkway suspended 40 feet high in an oak and hickory forest. (Access to the Tree Canopy Walkway is through ticketed seasonal programs.) The Freedman Playground offers a fun space for children to run, climb and play. And the Explorer Express Train winds through the grounds, a favorite attraction for little ones and train buffs alike.
Astronomy
EcoTarium investigates space with a host of planetarium programs and occasional exhibits. Under the simulated skies in our planetarium dome, interactive programs introduce audiences to celestial phenomena, delve into the stories and legends behind famous constellations, and report on the latest in space exploration. The Norton Observatory houses a 14-inch Celestron telescope, which is used for special events.
School Programs
EcoTarium is a popular destination for school field trips. In addition to the exhibits and grounds, the museum offers an inquiry-based educational programming for all ages, from preschool to high school. All programs are created with themes identified in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks as their starting point. EcoTarium hosts overnights for school and youth groups through its Night Journey program. The museum also collaborates with schools in the region to provide professional development for teachers and to create and implement interdisciplinary natural science curricula.
Special Events
Throughout the year, EcoTarium offers many special events and programs, including the annual Earth Day Festival, summer Jazz at Sunset concert series, Loring Summer Discovery Camp, A Polar Bear's Journey holiday program, Great Pumpkin Nights, school vacation week activities for kids, and more.
Admission, Hours and Membership
EcoTarium admission is $10 for adults; $8 for children ages 3-18, college students with ID and senior citizens; free for members and children under 3. Additional fees apply for the Explorer Express Train, planetarium shows, Tree Canopy Walkway and some special programs. Group admission rates are also available. EcoTarium hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m on Sunday.
Membership to EcoTarium is available at many levels, including student memberships, individual memberships and family memberships. Members receive free admission to EcoTarium, as well as to more than 200 other science and technology centers across the country, discounts on merchandise at the Museum Store, reduced admission to many special events and other benefits.