FOLIO
The roots of MOSH go back to 1941 when the Jacksonville Children’s Museum was chartered. The first home was a Victorian mansion in Riverside. One vividly creepy memory recalls the Egyptian mummy housed under the staircase.
Construction began on the current location on Jacksonville’s Southbank in 1965, and the facility opened in 1969. The open, spacious design by architect William Morgan provides an inviting atmosphere of discovery and learning. The Jacksonville Children’s Museum became the Jacksonville Museum of Arts and Sciences in 1977 and six years later, they were accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The name was changed to Museum of Science and History (MOSH) in 1988, and the facility grew as 37,500 ft2 of space were added, including the planetarium then known as the Alexander Brest Planetarium. The last building renovation occurred in 1994, resulting in a total of 82,200 ft2. In 2010, the Planetarium was upgraded with a new projector, sound system, and interior work, and renamed the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium.
The Museum of Science & History’s mission is to increase the knowledge and understanding of the natural environment and history of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. MOSH inspires the joy of lifelong learning by bringing to life the sciences and regional history. The attraction creates an awareness and appreciation of science and history through quality programs. MOSH offers exhibits and events that stimulate and inspire learning for visitors young and old.
This summer, MOSH is home to some of the largest reptiles that ever lived. MOSH will feature an animatronic dinosaur exhibit. At first glimpse, one of the dinosaurs—the terrible T. rex—will be outside on the Museum’s front lawn, ready to greet visitors as they arrive. Dinosaurs Unearthed brings the latest scientific discoveries in paleontology to life via amazingly life-like animatronics, full-scale skeletons, and fossils from around the world. Ever seen a feathered dinosaur? In the last decade, the discovery of feathered dinosaurs in Liaoning Province, China has shifted popular thought, causing paleontologists to re-evaluate the appearance of dinosaurs. Visitors will be able to see unique models that showcase the new discovery of feathered dinosaurs.
More than a dozen dinosaur models will make up the Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit. Dig pits and interactive kiosks will allow aspiring paleontologists to get in on the action as they unearth discoveries new and old. MOSH will also host a dynamic line-up of dinosaur-themed programs over the summer. They include Dozing with Dinos June 27, Little Learners: Dino Adventure July 8, Dinosaur Summer Camps July 13-17, Meet Buddy the Dinosaur from PBS’ Dinosaur Train July 18, and a special dino-edition of MOSH After Dark on July 30. On Saturday mornings throughout the exhibit, catch an episode of Dinosaur Train in the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium at 10:30am.
Dinosaurs Unearthed will be on display at MOSH May 23 through September 7, 2015.
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