WORCESTER—The EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature officially breaks ground on a new 8,320-square-foot exhibition hall on Thursday, Oct. 24, marking the beginning of a transformative expansion. The expansion is the first in more than two decades and is set for completion in fall 2025, just in time for the EcoTarium’s bicentennial celebrations.
The new hall enables the museum to host large-scale, world-class exhibitions for the first time in its 200-year history. The inaugural exhibition, The Secret World of Elephants, developed by the American Museum of Natural History in New York, is scheduled for early 2026. The new hall offers 6,300 square feet of flexible exhibition space and an additional 2,000 square feet for support areas.
Notably, the expansion sports a rooftop solar array, aligning with the museum’s sustainability goals. This new addition also fulfills part of the original 1969 architectural plans by Edward Durrell Stone, blending contemporary design with the museum’s mid-century aesthetic.
“This is an exciting time for the EcoTarium,” said Noreen Johnson Smith, president and CEO, in a press release. “The expansion will allow us to offer immersive experiences to visitors of all ages, elevating the museum as a premier destination for science and nature education in Central New England.”
The project is being funded by the museum’s $11 million Third Century Capital Campaign, with more than $7 million already raised through contributions from local foundations and donors.
In addition to the exhibition hall, plans include an Early Childhood Science Learning Center designed by 2027 to offer hands-on learning experiences for children ages 0 to 6. The expansion reflects a broader vision to modernize the EcoTarium’s offerings and enhance visitor engagement.
The groundbreaking ceremony features local dignitaries, including Mayor Joe Petty, Congressman Jim McGovern, Senator Michael Moore, and Senator Robyn Kennedy, as well as members of the museum’s Board of Trustees, supporters, and community leaders. Timberline Construction Corporation of Worcester and Canton has been chosen as the general contractor, with Annum Architects leading the design.
Once completed, the new exhibition hall is expected to draw larger crowds and bring major science and nature exhibitions to Worcester, benefiting the region and beyond.
