The completely revamped Delaware Museum of Nature and Science holds its ribbon cutting Friday.
The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science will celebrate its reopening Friday through Monday with a ribbon cutting and tours.
The attraction, formerly known as a museum of natural history, is changing its name to reflect its mission of connecting Delaware citizens with the state’s natural development and the science behind it.
The $10.8 million renovation started at the end of 2020 with the inside of the museum stripped down to the studs in the wall.
The evolved space will now offer paleozoic, regional and global galleries, as well as a cafe that sells prepackaged food, a respite area and a gallery for changing exhibits from local agencies.
In addition, the renovation included lighting and sound system, installation of a fire alarm suppression system, new paving, new air conditioning system, renovated restrooms and refreshed meeting, event and temporary exhibit spaces.
Events this week include:
- Friday, May 20: 10 a.m. ribbon cutting and tours for invited guests and the media.
- Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Member-only preview including special tours about the renovation process and new exhibits. Also open to members of partnering museums Delaware Art Museum, Hagley Museum & Library, Mt. Cuba, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library and Tyler Arboretum. Admission is free for members; pre-registration for timed tickets is requested.
- Monday, May 23: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Open to the public. Timed tickets will be available at delmns.org.
Once open to the public, the museum will be open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Admission is $12.95 for ages 3 and up, $3.95 for toddlers ages 1-2, and free for infants under 12 months. There is a $1 discount for tickets purchased in advance online. Admission is free for DelMNS members.
For the first year, members of Delaware Art Museum, Hagley Museum & Library, Mt. Cuba, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, and Tyler Arboretum also receive free general admission.
The museum release a raft of photos of its finished work. Here’s a peek.
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- The paleozoic exhibit includes lots for young minds to explore in activities on their level.
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- The Dryptosaurus, expected to be Delaware’s state dinosaur, has place of pride in the paleozoic exhibit.
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- The Global Rainforest exhibit includes sounds of the jungle.
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- One of the Gl;obal Gallery displays is the African Savannah.
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- The oceans exhibit includes shallow, medium and deep water artifacts.
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- The Deep Sea Dive allows visitors to see how ocean critters change and the water gets deeper.
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- These specimens will light up during the deep sea dive program.
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- The one thing that patrons asked was whether the coral reef embedded in the walkway would return. Yes, it did.
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- The regional gallery features depictions of native trees.
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- Delaware wood ducks are tucked among the branches of the trees, which are filled with wildlife in the regional gallery.
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- The regional gallery features depictions of native trees, and a warning.
Betsy Price is a Wilmington freelance writer who has 40 years of experience.
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