ECOTARIUM ANNOUNCES MAJOR EXPANSION OF FACILITY
October 11, 2024 | News
Worcester, MA – The EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature today announced plans for a major expansion of its facilities and the launch of the public phase of its Third Century Capital Campaign – Phase III.
The EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature is expanding and modernizing its facility through the construction of a new Traveling Exhibit Gallery with rooftop solar array. The new Exhibit Hall will add 8,300 square feet including 6,300 square feet of gallery space, and 2,000 s.f. of related support spaces, which will enable the EcoTarium to host world-class, large-scale traveling exhibitions. Construction of the Exhibit Gallery will take approximately 10 months to complete and the new gallery will be ready for a celebration of the EcoTarium’s 200th Anniversary in the fall of 2025.
“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.” The new exhibit hall fulfills some of Stone’s original 1969 plans for the Museum. This will be the first expansion of the EcoTarium Museum since the addition of classrooms in 2000.
This project will be funded through the EcoTarium’s Third Century Capital Campaign. “Through the generosity of private foundations and individual donors, we have raised over $7 million toward our goal of $11 million,” said Bill Sullivan, Campaign Chairman. “As we announce this new building project, we are asking everyone to join us in contributing to this important project to benefit the community.”
“We are grateful for the generosity of local foundations and families who are contributing to this exciting and impactful project which will ensure a sustainable Museum for all,” said Chairman of the EcoTarium Board of Trustees, Joseph Bartulis, Jr. “We are excited to invite the public to support this transformational project, which will educate and inspire residents of Worcester County and beyond with interactive exhibits, new programs and exciting events.”
Based on their expertise in the arts and education fields, Annum Architects of Boston was selected to develop the architectural plans for the new Exhibit Gallery. “Annum has been thrilled to partner with the EcoTarium to design a smart, efficient, and versatile expansion to their innovative Mid-Century Museum building. The new state-of-the-art gallery expansion will provide the EcoTarium with a large, flexible space to host exciting new exhibits and events. It will be a transformative resource for expanding their science and nature programs for all ages and audiences,” said Steven Gerrard, Principal at Annum.
Timberline Construction Corporation of Canton and Worcester was selected as the general contractor for the new addition. “The EcoTarium plays such an important role for the youth <and adults> of Worcester and the entire State,” said Josh Brandt, Timberline’s Vice President, Regional Operations Manager in Worcester. “After months of careful planning with the entire team, we are excited to break ground on this project which will soon provide an elevated museum experience for years to come.”
A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for October 24, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.
After completing construction on the Traveling Exhibit Hall, the Museum will develop a new Early Childhood Science Learning Center. This new center will include interactive exhibit components for young children ages 0 – 6 to experience and learn preschool science concepts through play. This new early childhood exhibit will be completed by 2027.
Donations to the campaign to build the new gallery and learning spaces may be made online at ecotarium.org/give200