Museum Metamorphosis
Connecting Delaware to our world
The Delaware Museum of Natural History has embarked on the most ambitious and significant capital campaign since our doors opened to the public in 1972. Our goal is a complete reinvention—a metamorphosis—to meet the community need for a regional leader in formal and informal science education. Even our name will change to the
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science.
Reimagining our main galleries, public spaces, and outdoor campus is at the heart of this metamorphosis. By switching from static dioramas to interactive, ecosystem-based engagements, the new Delaware Museum of Nature & Science will inspire people to discover, examine, and uncover the wonders of science in the natural world. The new Museum will be the go-to place to learn about our world, how we are connected, and how we can make a difference.
Our transformation has already begun—and you are invited to be part of it. Help us achieve our Museum Metamorphosis with a pledge or gift today.
Preliminary Exhibit Plan
Project Overview
Each wing of the transformed Museum will be organized by ecosystem.
Visitors will:
- Discover the amazing biodiversity of our area
in the Regional Journey Gallery - Explore how we are all connected in the
Alison K. Bradford Global Journey Gallery - Travel back in time and roam with dinosaurs in
the Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation PaleoZone - Trace the evolution of life on Earth along the 1,500-foot Evolution Trail
- Connect nature with science in compelling and unexpected ways in the Bill & Denise Spence Discovery Gallery
- Learn about cutting-edge science and field research in the DuPont Research Headquarters and Fair Play Field Station
Explore the New Exhibits
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Explore the New Exhibits
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The Evolution Trail: A walk through time
Carry the concepts of exploration and discovery out to the natural world.View Plan -
Skylight Atrium & Discovery Gallery
A dynamic, and flexible, starting point for navigating through the Museum.View Plan -
Regional Journey Gallery
Discover some of Delaware’s diverse ecosystems, who lives there, and how they survive.View Plan -
Global Journey Gallery
Be transported around the world and experience the planet’s most amazing ecosystems.View Plan -
PaleoZone
What was in Delaware during the Cretaceous?View Plan -
Rest, Relax, and Recharge Hub
Take a break, have a snack, and reflect on all the amazing things you and your family have experienced today!View Plan
The Evolution Trail: A walk through time
Carry the concepts of exploration and discovery out to the natural world.
Skylight Atrium & Discovery Gallery
A dynamic, and flexible, starting point for navigating through the Museum.
Regional Journey Gallery
Discover some of Delaware’s diverse ecosystems, who lives there, and how they survive.
Global Journey Gallery
Be transported around the world and experience the planet’s most amazing ecosystems.
PaleoZone
What was in Delaware during the Cretaceous?
Rest, Relax, and Recharge Hub
Take a break, have a snack, and reflect on all the amazing things you and your family have experienced today!
Our community spoke. We listened.
The time to transform is now.
With extensive input from focus groups, community partners, stakeholder outreach, and experts in the field, we have developed an exciting new vision: break down the barriers limiting typical natural history museums and place our guests at the center of nature and science.
To achieve this, we must make a significant investment. The resulting transformation will create powerful opportunities to reach, connect, educate, inspire, and motivate the current stewards of Earth and generations to come.
Project Budget
The budget for the Museum’s Capital Campaign is $9.8 million, which includes design and construction of the new exhibits and outdoor components, installing an updated sprinkler system, and developing the new Museum’s brand.
By October 2021, five government entities (federal, state, county), 35 corporations, 26 foundations, and 287 individuals contributed 78 percent of our goal, demonstrating their confidence in the future path of the Museum.
Campaign Goals
Your investment in Museum Metamorphosis: Connecting Delaware to Our World will:
- Help develop a caring society that respects and values our planet
- Contribute to Delaware’s economic vitality with nature and science programming at an affordable price
- Lay the foundation for STEM-related job training with high-quality nature and science education
- Broaden and expand the Museum’s reach and impact, with an emphasis on underserved audiences
Capital Project Timeline 2017-2022
