The EcoTarium in Worcester will open the first exhibit in its new Stoddard Exhibition Hall on March 7 with what it says is the first major national science exhibition to ever visit the 200-year-old museum.
The hall will host “Secret World of Elephants,” a science exhibition developed by the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The EcoTarium expects the exhibit to attract more than 100,000 visitors from across New England.
The exhibit explores the life of the world’s largest land animal with a life-sized model, hands on exhibits, and interactive stations, according to an EcoTarium press release issued Wednesday.
Located on the east wing of the museum, the 6,400-square-foot space was designed to allow for major traveling exhibits to be able to appear at the EcoTarium. The hall was opened in September and celebrated with a November fundraising gala, which helped mark the museum’s 200th anniversary.
“EcoTarium visitors, both adults and children, will love this awe-inspiring exhibit and the chance to learn about these intelligent and beautiful creatures,” Noreen Smith, EcoTarium president and CEO, said in the press release.
A special opening day celebration will be held on March 7, with the exhibit running through Sep. 7. More information about the exhibit can be found here.
Funding from the new exhibition hall came from the EcoTarium’s Third Century Capital Campaign, which kicked off in 2022 to mark the then-upcoming 200th anniversary. The ongoing campaign has raised over $10.4 million, with the goal of $12.5 million, according to the museum’s website.
Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the real estate and banking & finance industries.
