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.
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.
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.
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.
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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!
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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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 was the first lead educator of the Planetarium in 1958, running live shows like the Museum still hosts today.
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.
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.
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.
Sketches of the Saturn V launch vehicle, which was used during the Apollo missions between 1967 and 1973.
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.
The Museum acquired the world’s largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator in 1956.
Almost 50 years after the Blue Wing was originally constructed in 1971, it’s undergoing another major transformation.
