WORCESTER – The EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature, at 222 Harrington Way, announced its first expansion since 2000, with the addition of a a new 8,300 square foot Traveling Exhibit Gallery. The addition will add 6,300 square feet of gallery space and 2,00 square feet of related support spaces.
The EcoTarium says the expansion will enable it to host world-class, large-scale traveling exhibitions. They expect to complete the construction of the facility in the fall of 2025.
After completing the Traveling Exhibit Gallery, the museum also plans to begin construction of a new Early Childhood Science Learning Center. They expect the early childhood center to be completed in 2027.
This project “The new exhibit gallery at the EcoTarium will enable the Museum to offer Worcester and Central New England communities immersive, world-class, large-scale exhibitions for the first time in our 200 year history”, said President and CEO Noreen Johnson Smith. “We are working with a team of talented architects and engineers who have designed a beautiful addition that will complement the architectural design of Edward Durrell Stone.”
Funding from the project comes from the EcoTarium’s Third Century Capital Campaign which has raised $7 million so far, toward its goal of $11 million.
The museum hosts a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 24, at 3:30 PM.
“The new exhibit gallery at the EcoTarium will enable the Museum to offer Worcester and Central New England communities immersive, world-class, large-scale exhibitions for the first time in our 200 year history”, said President and CEO Noreen Johnson Smith. “We are working with a team of talented architects and engineers who have designed a beautiful addition that will complement the architectural design of Edward Durrell Stone.”
Donations are accepted online to support the campaign to build the new gallery and learning spaces.
The EcoTarium, founded in 1825, is one of the oldest museums in the United States. Its 45-acre Worcester campus includes the science center with three floors of interactive exhibits, Alden Planetarium, Science Discovery programs and extensive outdoor nature trails, wildlife zoo and habitats, seasonal railroad with the Explorer Express Train, and extensive outdoor play exhibit.