The EcoTarium announced on Friday, July 24, that it plans an extended closing through fall and winter while its leadership seeks new sources of revenue.
EcoTarium is at 222 Harrington Way and is a museum of science and nature that opened nearly 200 years ago in Worcester. It had record attendance ever in 2019, but has seen a 90% drop in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The extended closing will also result in an unknown number of layoffs. The EcoTarium leadership team took pay cuts earlier in the year.
Animals in residence at EcoTarium will remain on site and cared for during its extended shut down.
According to surveys by the American Alliance of Museums, up to a third of museums nationwide may close due to the pandemic.
Image Credit: <a href=”https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Faolin42″>John Phelan</a>, <a href=”https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EcoTarium,_Worcester_MA.jpg”>EcoTarium, Worcester MA</a>, <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode” rel=”license”>CC BY-SA 3.0</a>
