EcoTarium Timeline
January 1, 1825
Worcester Lyceum of Natural History is founded by a group of 14 men to foster an appreciation and understanding of the natural world.
April 27, 1849
Henry David Thoreau makes the first of several speaking engagements in Worcester. In the course of more than a dozen trips to the city, Thoreau found time for visits to the Natural History rooms.
1860s
Women begin to participate in the Natural History Society and play important roles in the creation of social and fund-raising activities.
1861
The Worcester Natural History Society forms.
October 1, 1867
The grand opening of the Natural History Rooms on the third floor of the Worcester Bank Block on Foster Street draws 250 people.
1884
The Worcester Lyceum and the Natural History Department of the Young Men's Library Association combine and join the Worcester Natural History Society to become the Worcester Lyceum and Natural History Society. At that time, the museum's live animal collection included:
- two snakes
- two owls
- one alligator
1885
The Natural History Camp is founded on the shores of Lake Quinsigamond, the first of its kind in the country. Open to boys ages 10-20, the camp is billed as offering, "Health, athletic sports, military drill, instruction in study of nature and careful oversight for him, freedom from anxiety for you."
1891
The museum moves to the Old Edwin Conant Mansion at the corner of State and Harvard streets.
1932
Amateur astronomers form the Aldrich Astronomical Society in Worcester, named for the late mathematician who popularized the study of the sky.
1942
The Natural History Society Training School opens on 80 acres in Paxton.
1950
The summer home of F. J. Harold Daniels on 325 acres in Rutland is donated for a school of forestry, wildlife management and conservation and is used today by the Summer Discovery Camp.
1954
Museum exhibits and the Goddard mineral collection are moved to the Daniels House on Cedar Street. Live animals, a planetarium, an auditorium and other collections are housed at the Rice House on Elm Street.
1960
The Worcester Natural History Society changes its name to the Worcester Science Museum.
1971
A new facility, designed by renowned 20th century architect Edward Durell Stone, opens on 60 acres of donated land on Harrington Way. The name is changed to the Worcester Science Center to join the trend of science and technology centers whose commitment to public education is demonstrated through a combination of exhibits and programming.
1986
The name changes to the New England Science Center to reflect a broader audience.
1989
The museum rearticulates its mission to promote appreciation, increase knowledge and foster stewardship of New England environments.
December 1, 1983
Polar bears Ursa Minor and Ursa Major give birth to Kenda, the first polar bear to be born and raised in New England.
1998
The museum adopts the name EcoTarium and breaks ground for the first phase of an $18 million expansion and renovation program.
1999
EcoTarium opens several new attractions, including the first Tree Canopy Walkway in the nation to open to the public. Also:
- a river otter habitat
- bald eagle and snowy owl aviaries
- nature trails
- pond pier and pavilion
- new Museum Store
2000
EcoTarium unveils a new three-story glass wall, the Hirsh Telecommunications Center and classroom wing, a landscaped terrace and Food Pavilion, and new exhibits related to water.
2007
The planetarium is upgraded with digital technology making it the only publicly accessible digital planetarium in the state.
2008
Kenda celebrates her 25th birthday making her the oldest living polar bear born in captivity. Also this year, polar bears are named the first threatened species due to global warming.
2009
EcoTarium adopts a new logo to reflect the energy and excitement of visiting the EcoTarium.