As Discovery Place turns 75, the museum highlights upgrades and events at its 4 sites

Discovery Place is marking its 75th anniversary by touting upgrades and changes at each of its four museums in the Charlotte region, the museum announced Monday.

In 1947, Discovery Place Nature, then called Children’s Nature Museum, opened as the first children’s education nature museum in the Southeast. What started as a single room has grown to become a leading hub for science education for all ages in the Carolinas, Discovery Place President and CEO Catherine Wilson Horne said in a statement.

“Discovery Place has plans to make an even bigger impact on the next generation,” Horne said.

The total cost for the four museum projects has not been disclosed yet. The projects are in various planning stages and supply chain issues for construction and labor costs are “greatly impacting costs,” Horne said.

The museum also said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles has declared Nov. 9 as Discovery Place Day.

Here’s what to expect at the four museums:

Discovery Place Nature

Opened in 1947 in the former Sunshine School building, Discovery Place Nature was the first Discovery Place museum in Charlotte. The current facility on Sterling Road, adjacent to Freedom Park, opened in 1951.

Design plans for a reimagined nature experience were announced earlier this year. The plan includes a new building, nature center and gardens.

The 13,000-square-foot museum will be torn down and replaced with a building nearly twice its size, The Observer previously reported. Other highlights include a treetop canopy walk, naturalist lab and outdoor otter exhibit.

Construction is expected to begin in spring 2023 with a late 2024 opening.

Discovery Place Science

Discovery Place Science on North Tryon Street opened in 1981.

The most recent of several renovations and expansions through the years is the Accenture IMAX Dome Theatre and Planetarium. The theater reopened in February with more than $1.2 million in renovations, including having changed from film to digital technology and getting a new name, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.

The transformation builds on the museum’s adult science programming from a new planetarium system to blockbuster films, Discovery Place said.

Here’s what’s next, and planned exhibitions:

▪ This month, Beansprouts café will open with a menu of healthy dining options.

▪ Science Fiction/Science Future runs Nov. 19-Jan. 1. Expect hands-on and full-body experiences incorporating invisibility, mind control, holograms and augmented reality. The exhibit is created by Scitech in Perth, Australia, and produced by Imagine Exhibitions.

▪ Top Secret: License to Spy is scheduled for Jan. 28-April 16. Visitors can play the role of a secret agent and learn about espionage-related technologies. The exhibit is created by Scitech and produced by Imagine Exhibitions.

▪ The Bias Inside Us on March 11 examines the science and history of bias. Organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service with a 40-city tour.

▪ Next year, the museum also will unveil expanded exhibits planned on the main floor to support larger international shows.

Discovery Place Kids – Huntersville

Opened in 2010, Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville features interactive real-world science exhibitions and labs for children, adults and families.

The museum will undergo an extensive garden renovation, thanks to a gift from The Colonial Pipeline, according to Discovery Place. The grant also provides for STEM programming in local schools.

Discovery Place Kids – Rockingham

Opened in 2013, it is Discovery Place’s second children’s museum. New features at the Rockingham museum include:

▪ A physics exhibit featuring machines and force-in-motion activities.

▪ A climbing experience connecting all of the museum floors.

▪ Redesigning exhibits to connect with the region’s quarry industry and natural landmarks Hitchcock Creek and Hinson Lake.

More about Discovery Place

Discovery Place plans to celebrate its diamond anniversary into next fall, and will add digital content featuring stories from the community and a look through the archives.

To participate in “Share your Stories,” visit form.jotform.com/223044453293149.

Discovery Place is a nonprofit supported by the Infusion Fund — a partnership between the city of Charlotte, the Foundation For The Carolinas and private donors — plus other donations. The museum serves over 750,000 people a year through museum visits, educational programming, professional development training and community outreach.

In 2017, Discovery Place was named as a finalist for the National Medal by the Institute for Museum and Library Science.

This story was originally published November 7, 2022 at 12:32 PM with the headline "As Discovery Place turns 75, the museum highlights upgrades and events at its 4 sites."