EcoTarium Information

The EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature is the oldest natural history museum in the United States and is located in Worcester, Massachusetts. With the mission of inspiring a passion for science and nature, the EcoTarium has a broad array of fun and educational offerings including: three floors of interactive exhibits, world-class temporary exhibits in the Stoddard Exhibition Hall, shows in the Alden Digital Planetarium, daily Science Discovery programs, live animal habitats, hikes through forest and meadow nature trails, rides on the Worcester Railers Explorer Express train around the 45 acres of grounds (seasonal), and unlimited play in the expansive outdoor exhibit, Nature Explore®. The EcoTarium is well rooted in the Worcester community as an organization dedicated to the study of science and nature. The private, non-profit institution was founded in 1825 as the Worcester Lyceum of Natural History and was incorporated in 1884 as the Worcester Natural History Society — the EcoTarium's legal identity. A transition from the New England Science Center to the EcoTarium in 1998 refocused the museum in the natural sciences and hands-on exploration and discovery. Much of the Museum's work today continues to reflect the ideologies and practices adopted over 200 years ago.