Building Our Museum
  • Kids with Science Park Banner. This is a photograph of many people wearing construction hats and holding a sign that reads, Museum of Science Expanding.

    Introduction

    Since its establishment at Science Park in 1947 the Museum of Science has seen incredible changes, both to the building’s structure and the ideas found within. As fossil discoveries, engineering advances, and health research have shaped our understanding of the world around us, the Museum has evolved as well, and more changes are coming as we begin to envision and transform our new Blue Wing.

  • First Model T.rex Delivery. This is a photograph of a life-size T. Rex model on a trailer in two parts, the head and arms and the legs and tail.

    The First Model T. rex

    The Museum’s first life-sized T. rex model was made from fiberglass and steel. It was delivered in two pieces before being assembled inside the Museum in 1972. This model now lives outside, greeting visitors at the Boston end of the Museum.

  • First Model T.rex Tollbooth. This is a photograph of the model T. Rex head on a truck going through a tollbooth.

    The First Model T. rex

    In 1966, before the model was completed, the T. rex head was driven around Boston and down the Mass Pike to fundraise for the Museum.

  • First Model T.rex Sketches. These are various pencil sketch designs for the T.rex model.

    The First Model T. rex

    The Museum’s first life-sized T. rex model was made from fiberglass and steel. It was delivered in two pieces before being assembled inside the Museum in 1972. This model now lives outside, greeting visitors at the Boston end of the Museum.

  • Current Model T.rex Delivery. This is a photograph of a life-size T. Rex model on a trailer that is partially built and unpainted.

    The Current Model T. rex

    New discoveries are always improving our understanding of what dinosaurs might have looked like, and in 2001, a new, more accurate T. rex model was created. Today, fossils from more than 50 T. rex skeletons have been found. These discoveries, along with advancing research technologies, tell us that our T. rex is ready for another makeover—including feathers!

  • Current Model T.rex Teeth. This is a photograph of someone painting the teeth and mouth of the model T. Rex.

    The Current Model T. rex

    New discoveries are always improving our understanding of what dinosaurs might have looked like, and in 2001, a new, more accurate T. rex model was created. Today, fossils from more than 50 T. rex skeletons have been found. These discoveries, along with advancing research technologies, tell us that our T. rex is ready for another makeover—including feathers!

  • Current Model T.rex Eye. This is a photograph of someone adding paint details to the model T. Rex eye and face.

    The Current Model T. rex

    New discoveries are always improving our understanding of what dinosaurs might have looked like, and in 2001, a new, more accurate T. rex model was created. Today, fossils from more than 50 T. rex skeletons have been found. These discoveries, along with advancing research technologies, tell us that our T. rex is ready for another makeover—including feathers!

  • Science Park 1946. This is a photograph of Science Park in 1946 before the Museum of Science was built.

    Science Park

    In 1947, construction at Science Park began as the New England Museum of Natural History moved to become the Museum of Science we know today. Museum founding director Brad Washburn took these photographs in 1946, 1951, and 1968, capturing each addition as the Boston skyline changed around us.

  • Science Park 1951. This is a photograph of Science Park in 1951 with the first Museum of Science buildings.

    Science Park

    In 1947, construction at Science Park began as the New England Museum of Natural History moved to become the Museum of Science we know today. Museum founding director Brad Washburn took these photographs in 1946, 1951, and 1968, capturing each addition as the Boston skyline changed around us.

  • Science Park 1968. This is a photograph of Science Park in 1968 with several Museum of Science buildings.

    Science Park

    In 1947, construction at Science Park began as the New England Museum of Natural History moved to become the Museum of Science we know today. Museum founding director Brad Washburn took these photographs in 1946, 1951, and 1968, capturing each addition as the Boston skyline changed around us.

  • Omni Construction 1986. This is a photograph of the Mugar Omni theater building during construction.

    Mugar Omni Theater

    The Mugar Omni Theater opened in 1987 with New England Time Capsule and The Dream is Alive, a film about space. The five-story-tall dome screen is still one of the largest in New England and is currently under renovation, upgrading from a film format to a new digital laser projection system.

  • Omni Rendering 1986. This is a pencil sketch of the original construction plans for the Mugar Omni theater.

    Mugar Omni Theater

    The Mugar Omni Theater opened in 1987 with New England Time Capsule and The Dream is Alive, a film about space. The five-story-tall dome screen is still one of the largest in New England and is currently under renovation, upgrading from a film format to a new digital laser projection system.

  • Omni Construction. This is a photograph from inside the Mugar Omni theater when it was under construction.

    Mugar Omni Theater

    The Mugar Omni Theater opened in 1987 with New England Time Capsule and The Dream is Alive, a film about space. The five-story-tall dome screen is still one of the largest in New England and is currently under renovation, upgrading from a film format to a new digital laser projection system.

  • Brad Washburn Climbing Museum. This is a photograph of a man using a rope to climb the Museum.

    People of the Museum

    After hearing the high price to hang decorative sculptures from the Museum of Science tower, founding director (and accomplished mountaineer) Brad Washburn climbed the tower in 1963 to hang the artwork himself. These sculptures now adorn the side of the Museum overlooking the Charles River.

  • Valerie Wilcox 1958. This is a photograph of a woman in front of the first Charles Hayden Planetarium projector.

    People of the Museum

    Valerie Wilcox was the first lead educator of the Planetarium in 1958, running live shows like the Museum still hosts today.

  • Museum Opening Day 1951. This is a photograph of a crowd of people waiting in line in front of the first Museum building.

    People of the Museum

    Visitors lined up outside the first building at Science Park on March 12, 1951, where the Museum welcomed 25,000 visitors in the first week.

  • Apollo Space Capsule. This is a photograph of the Apollo command module being assembled by Museum staff.

    Space Flight

    In 1957 when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial Earth satellite, it captured the public’s interest in the possibilities of space travel. The Museum worked with materials from NASA to develop a new type of educational experience for visitors, including the visitor-favorite Apollo command module.

  • Brad Washburn with Atlas LV-3B. This is a photograph of three people looking at a model rocket.

    Space Flight

    Museum of Science founding director Brad Washburn shows visitors a model of the Atlas LV-3B launch vehicle used for the first human space flight missions during Project Mercury.

  • Saturn V Sketches. This is pencil sketches of exhibit designs for the model rocket.

    Space Flight

    Sketches of the Saturn V launch vehicle, which was used during the Apollo missions between 1967 and 1973.

  • Planetarium Construction. This is a photograph of the construction of the Charles Hayden Planetarium dome.

    New Buildings

    Both the Charles Hayden Planetarium and the Theater of Electricity used local technology to bring marvels of the sky to Museum visitors—the Van de Graaff generator was used in research smashing particles at MIT, and the first star projector in the Planetarium was built in Medford, MA by the Korkosz brothers.

  • Theater of Electricity Construction. This is a photograph of the giant Van de Graaff generator being assembled.

    New Buildings

    The Museum acquired the world’s largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator in 1956.

  • Blue Wing Construction. This is a photograph of the Museum’s Blue Wing during construction.

    New Buildings

    Almost 50 years after the Blue Wing was originally constructed in 1971, it’s undergoing another major transformation.