Embedded Files
February 9, 1830
First meeting with seven original members: Walter Channing, Benjamin D. Greene, George Hayward, John Ware, Edward Brooks, Amos Binney, George B. Emerson.
April 28, 1830
First official meeting and agreement to the founding and naming of the BSNH.
December 20, 1837
Members are invited to bring sisters, wives, and daughters to meetings, marking the first time women are invited to participate in BSNH activities. They are not allowed to join as independent members.
1838
Public viewing hours are offered for the first time, inviting visitors to a rented hall on Tremont St on Wednesdays between 12pm and 2pm.
1847
Society purchases the Massachusetts Medical College building on Mason St, which becomes its first venue for storing, studying, and exhibiting research collections.
B.D. Greene, noted botanist and first president of the Boston Society of Natural History.
1861
Recognition from the Massachusetts Legislature as an institution of public education.
June 3, 1864
Dedication of the new BSNH building constructed on Berkeley St. in Back Bay. This museum is open to the public 2 days a week as the New England Museum of Natural History.
1870
Reorganization of the departments and collections with a focus on education, not just classification.
1871
Teachers’ School of Science is founded, in partnership with the Lowell Institute.
Smoking prohibited in the Museum because of fire risk.
May 1876
An associate member level is created to allow women to join as independent members for the first time.
The Berkeley Street building when constructed in 1864. The construction visible behind this building is MIT's first building, designed by the same architect.
April 28, 1880
50th Anniversary of the BSNH (marking the day of official organization, not the first meeting).
1891
A study collection is arranged, which elevates the BSNH from a private study collection into the first example of a teaching museum.
1918
Saturday morning classes for children begin.
February 1930
Centennial anniversary of the founding of the Society.
July 1936
First meeting of the Junior Explorers (boys only).
1937
The first Education Department is established, under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth Rice.
October 28, 1937
After a lengthy closure for renovations, the Museum on Berkeley Street is reopened with its first-ever information desk in the lobby.
Illustration from Samuel Scudder's scientific studies of butterflies.
February 9, 1939
H. Bradford Washburn Jr. is appointed as Director.
1942
Traveling summer classes with experiments, live animals, and films begin touring local summer camps.
December 14, 1945
BSNH administration agrees to close the museum, sell the Berkeley St. Building and much of the collection, and look for a new site on which to launch a new museum.
Summer 1947
Berkeley St. building is sold for $775,000 to the New England Mutual Bank. 43,380 cubic feet of collections are moved into temporary storage.
October 30, 1947
Official name of the Museum is changed to the Boston Museum of Science. The corporation retains the name of BSNH.
Traveling educators bring science to a school camp in 1943.
1948
A traveling planetarium is built to bring projector shows to schools, libraries, and churches around New England. The wooden structure has an 18-foot dome, uses a Spitz star projector, and can fit about 50 viewers.
December 1948
The Museum leases the Charles River Dam park site from the Metropolitan District Commission.
April 13, 1949
Eclipse viewing party at Science Park draws 5000 attendees.
February 2, 1950
While construction of the East Building continues, a temporary museum is provided in the pavilion (6000 square feet of exhibit space). 80,000 visitors in its year of operation.
March 12, 1951
East Wing officially opens. 25,000 visit the first 3 weeks and 200,000 visitors the first year. Admission is 25 cents for adults, 15 cents for children.
A 1940s sketch of the Korkosz star projector.
March 1951
Spooky the owl is given to the Museum. His birthday is March 21, 1951.
May 4, 1953
Morse Auditorium opens as a site for lectures and demonstrations.
August 20, 1955
MBTA station at Science Park opens.
1956
Van de Graaff generator is given to the Museum, but remains in storage while buildings are constructed.
March 28, 1957
Unveiling of the Moon Mural by Chesley Bonestell (mural was later transferred to the Smithsonian Institute).
October 20, 1958
The Charles Hayden Planetarium opens, with a custom Korkosz star projector.
Spooky as a brand-new owlet in 1951.
June 22, 1959
The Museum assumes management of the Blue Hills Trailside Museum outside of Boston. It is transferred to the Massachusetts Zoological Society in 1961.
November 8, 1961
Dedication of the Countway Building, featuring a new shop, office and education spaces, Skyline cafeteria, and a new library.
June 18, 1962
Dedication of the Foucault pendulum.
September 17, 1962
Russell Stearns Hall opens to house the studios of WGBH-TV, whose building in Boston was lost to fire. Many joint programs are developed between the station and the Museum.
October 31, 1962
Dedication of the Hall of New England Life Zones and the Terrestrial Globe.
The Trailside Museum is located in Milton, MA.
1963
Survey of visitor experience and learning is conducted by Museum volunteers. This is the Museum’s first attempt at surveying user experience and retention.
Winter 1963
First test performance of lightning shows in the Theater of Electrical Science.
1964
In celebration of Brad Washburn’s 25th anniversary, the Washburn Award is created.
January 6, 1964
Sculptures by Barbarossa are installed on the Museum tower representing Astronomy, Industry, Man, Nature, and Energy.
January 1965
Opening of the new Live Animal Center and the Colby Trophy Room.
1968
Eye-Opener program with Boston Public school children begins.
Brad Washburn in his office.
August 1972
Opening of the West Wing and parking garage.
November 7, 1975
President Gerald Ford visits the Museum.
1976
First paid advertising campaign: “It’s Fun to Find Out!”
December 7, 1978
Arthur D. Little Discovery Room opened for young children.
1980
Elihu Thomson Theater of Electricity opens.
February 1980
Brad Washburn retires and becomes Chairman of the Corporation. 150th anniversary of the BSNH.
Construction of the West Wing (now called the Blue Wing) in 1971.
1984
Camp-In program debuts with Saturday programs for girls to interest them in science careers.
January 1984
Cahner's ComputerPlace opens as a hands-on learning area.
June 1985
China: 7000 Years of Discovery is the Museum's first blockbuster exhibit.
1987
Stephen P. and Marian G. Mugar Omni Theater opens.
1988
Roger Nichols Gallery opens.
The Human Body Discovery Space opens, an interactive exhibit space devoted to anatomy and physiology.
1987 rendering of the new Omni theater.
April 1, 1991
No smoking policy enacted in all Science Park buildings.
March 1993
Discovery Center opens and hosts over 370,000 visitors in its first year.
September 1993
Expanded Live Animal Center is constructed.
Suit-Cabot Laboratory classroom opens to the public.
1994
Opening of the Gilliland Observatory.
April 19, 1995
Museum launches its first website.
1997
The Women in Science and Engineering program begins.
Invitation to a Women in Science and Engineering event at the Museum.
1998
The Live Animal Center becomes a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
October 28, 1998
Science in the Park exhibit opens in the Blue Wing.
1999
Museum of Science assumes management of the Computer Museum.
Human Body Connection exhibit opens.
2000
The Computer Clubhouse Network moves to the Museum of Science.
Construction of a new Science Live! stage and a Current Science & Technology stage.
Students explore Science in the Park in the Blue Wing.
May 24, 2001
Natural Mysteries exhibit opens in the Blue Wing.
2001
Gordon Current Science and Technology Center opens.
2002
"Your Visit Today" guide begins publication.
2004
Engineering is Elementary pilot program begins.
National Center for Technological Literacy (NCTL) opens.
The Butterfly Garden and the 3D Theater open.
December 2004
50 millionth visitor to the Museum.
2005
Museum administrators found the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISENet).
Students trying out an activity from an Engineering is Elementary program.
October 2005
Opening of the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit.
November 2007
Opening of the Sophia & Bernard M. Gordon Wing.
2010
Colby Society founded, and establishment of the Colby Award.
Planetarium renovations and new installation of Zeiss Starmaster.
25th anniversary of the Overnights program.
November 16, 2013
Opening of the Hall of Human Life in the Green Wing.
2014
4D Theater opens in the Blue Wing.
An exhibit component from Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination.
February 2015
Thrill Ride 360’ installed in atrium.
June 28, 2015
Opening of the Museum's new traveling exhibit, The Science Behind Pixar.
August 2016
Bloomberg Philanthropies give $50 million endowment to the MoS, establishing the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Science Education Center.
2016
Opening of the Yawkey Gallery on the Charles.
June 2017
Opening of the Yawkey Gallery on the Charles, featuring water engineering exhibits and live animals.
2019
Dr. Ioannis N. Miaoulis leaves the Museum after 16 years as president.
February 3, 2020
Tim Ritchie assumes his role as president of the Museum.
March 13, 2020
The Museum closes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff pivoted to creating virtual experiences through our MOS at Home website, where the public can interact with educators, access curriculum, and more.
July 21, 2020
The Museum reopened to the public after 4 months, with new signage and safety protocols developed in response to the latest technology and recommended practices. Most staff continue to work remotely, but visitors are able to enter the Museum to enjoy socially-distanced exhibits and experiences thanks to the MOS staff.
Tim Ritchie joins the Museum staff
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