WORCESTER—The EcoTarium unveils a major expansion this weekend with the opening of its 6,400-square-foot Stoddard Exhibition Hall, a project museum leaders say will finally allow Worcester to host the kind of large, national science exhibitions that previously bypassed the city.
The new hall will be introduced during the museum’s Legacy of the Stars gala on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 6-9 p.m. The formal event, emceed by WBZ-TV reporter Levan Reid, includes cocktails, dinner and dessert by Peppers Artful Events, live entertainment by Crocodile River and the Etka Dance Academy, and a silent auction open online through Nov. 16.
For the EcoTarium, founded in 1825 and one of the country’s oldest natural history museums, the new addition represents what Chief Advancement Officer Debra B. Shear described as “a new era for the museum.”
“We aim to be the leading, trusted local resource for up-to-date STEAM content,” Shear told the Worcester Guardian. “Rapidly evolving technology, science, and environmental changes require us to do more. This hall will enable the EcoTarium to bring major national exhibits to Worcester for the first time… visitors will no longer have to travel to major cities such as New York City or Boston for such exhibits.”
Until now, the museum’s main building had only 2,800 square feet available for traveling shows, with ceiling heights too low for most modern installations. Shear said those limits left the museum able to host only about 20 percent of the traveling exhibitions available nationwide.
The new addition, more than 8,000 square feet in total, includes a technology-ready hall with ceiling heights up to 16 feet. Construction began in October 2024 and wrapped in September. The space has already hosted a corporate meeting with 265 attendees and a wedding with 200 guests, Shear said, adding that it fills a gap in Worcester’s supply of large event venues.
The EcoTarium plans to open its first major exhibition in the hall in March 2026: The Secret World of Elephants, developed by the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Shear said details are still under embargo, but noted that “the grandeur of this exhibition hall will be a perfect showcase for this exhibit about these massive mammals.”
Saturday’s gala also caps the museum’s 200th anniversary year, following a slate of bicentennial programs including a community mural unveiling, a speaker series, special fundraisers, a free-admission 200th birthday event, and the 200th Annual Meeting at Mechanics Hall. Shear said the “Legacy of the Stars” theme honors people who have sustained the institution over its two centuries.
Proceeds from the gala will support costs associated with bringing the elephants exhibition to Worcester. “Traveling exhibitions of this nature are quite expensive to rent, install, and disassemble,” Shear said, noting the museum is pursuing grants, sponsorships, and donations to fund future shows as well.
Founded as the Worcester Natural History Society, the EcoTarium today spans 45 acres and features three floors of exhibits, the Alden Planetarium, wildlife habitats, and nature trails. Its mission is to inspire a lifelong passion for science and nature across generations.
Editor’s note: this event is now sold out.
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