WORCESTER—The EcoTarium had a major birthday this weekend. The museum turned 200 on Saturday, and thousands of Central Massachusetts residents showed up to celebrate and appreciate.
Held on the 200th day of its 200th year, the museum’s all-day birthday bash drew nearly 3,000 visitors to its 55-acre campus on Harrington Way. The event featured science demonstrations, live animals, nature walks, hands-on learning stations, food trucks, and a ceremonial “Big Candle Blowout,” with more than 60 partner organizations participating.
U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, State Sen. Michael Moore, City Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, and other elected officials joined museum leaders and supporters for a noontime ceremony at Sundial Plaza. Speaking from the stage, McGovern hailed the EcoTarium as a “world-renowned, state-of-the-art education center” and praised recent federal investments in its space science programs, including upgrades to its planetarium and observatory.
“Worcester has always paved the path toward accessible, community-minded scientific education,” McGovern said in a statement. “With today’s celebration, the museum continues its legacy of engaging the masses in scientific discovery.”
Founded in 1825, the EcoTarium is one of the oldest natural history museums in the country. Over two centuries, it has evolved from a natural history collection into a hands-on science and nature center with a planetarium, live animal habitats, and educational programming for all ages.
“This institution was grown and sustained by generations of Worcester residents,” said EcoTarium President and CEO Noreen Johnson Smith. “We are not a franchise or national association—we are homegrown. Our goal is to be a source of pride for Worcester and to maintain this institution as the world-class organization it deserves to be.”
The celebration offered a glimpse of that vision, with more than 127 activities and programs taking place across the museum grounds throughout the day.
Moore pointed to his support for state funding to expand the museum’s traveling education programs and care for its wildlife. “Other parts of the state may have a museum,” he said, “but we are lucky here in Worcester to have a zoo, science center, and museum all in one.”
Worcester Youth Poet Laureate Serenity Jackson read an original poem honoring the museum’s impact, and Mero-Carlson presented a ceremonial key to the city and read a mayoral proclamation declaring July 19 “EcoTarium Day.”
Deputy Director of Museum Operations Katie Chappell thanked event sponsors and community partners—including Polar Beverages, Flexcon, Central One Federal Credit Union, and the WooSox Foundation—for their continued support. Board Chair Joseph Bartulis reminded the crowd that the institution’s bicentennial is also a launchpad for what’s next.
“This anniversary is not just a celebration of our past,” he said, “but a powerful moment to look forward—to what we can continue to do together for our community, our environment, and our future.”
For Worcester resident Andrew Tsang, the event was a chance to share a place he loves with his children. “The EcoTarium is such a gift to our city,” he said, holding his infant daughter. “Seeing my kids’ excitement as they experience the animals or look through a telescope—it’s a full-circle moment.”
The EcoTarium is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission can be purchased online at ecotarium.org.
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