- This page was last modified on 9 August 2025, at 06:30. Suggest an edit.
Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science facts for kids
 |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Established | 1969 (opened to public in 1973) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2201 Michigan Avenue Cocoa, Florida |
| Type | Anthropology, Archaeology, Children’s, Culture, History, Natural History, Nature Center, Park, Science |
The Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science is a fascinating place in Cocoa, Florida. It's located near Eastern Florida State College. The museum has a large building filled with interesting items from the past. It also has a big 22-acre nature preserve outside. You can walk on the Johnnie Johnson Nature Trails. These trails are open every day. You might even spot Florida gopher tortoises! The trails connect to the Eastern Florida State College Planetarium and Travis Park.
The museum has a special area for younger kids called the Imaginary Station. It has a space capsule and a fun play area. There's also a beautiful butterfly garden. Master Gardeners take care of this garden. You can see many plants that attract butterflies, bees, and other helpful insects.
Contents
Exploring the Museum's Exhibits
The museum has two main sections for its exhibits. These displays show a timeline of Florida's history. They also have temporary exhibits that change throughout the year. As of 2013, the museum had over 3,000 artifacts. These items help tell the story of Brevard County and Florida.
What You Can See
The exhibits cover many exciting topics. You can learn about the first people who lived in Florida. There are also displays about animals from the Ice Age to today. You can discover how early settlers came to Brevard. The museum also features information about Spanish ships. You can learn about Florida's old industries, like citrus and turpentine. There's even a section on Flagler's railway and space history.
You can see many cool things up close. These include personal items from Albert and Grace Taylor. There are also ancient arrowheads. You can view artifacts from the Seminole, Miccosukee, and Ais peoples. The museum has shells and casts of prehistoric animal fossils. You can also see replicas of an old one-room school. There's a general store and a model of the Cape Canaveral lighthouse.
Ice Age Animals and Ancient Discoveries
In the Ice Age animal exhibit, you can see fossils. These include bones from a Giant ground sloth and a mastodon. One of the most amazing exhibits is about the "Windover Woman." These are the oldest human remains found in North America. They are between 7,000 and 8,000 years old! The museum has a re-creation of the Windover Dig. This was a special "wet" archaeological site.
Museum's History and Support
In September 2014, the Florida Historical Society became the main organization for the museum. The City of Cocoa owns the museum building and land. The Florida Historical Society owned the museum's collection until 2021. Then, they gave the collection to the City of Cocoa.
The museum is also part of Museums of Brevard (MOB). It is also a member of the Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage. Today, the Brevard Museum and Science Center (BMSC) is a nonprofit organization. This means it's run for public benefit, not for profit. Admission to the museum is free for everyone!
How You Can Get Involved
The museum offers many chances to volunteer. You can become a docent, which is like a tour guide. You can also help take care of the hiking trails. Teachers can book field trips for their classes. They can find more information on the museum's website. The museum also welcomes donations. You can give money, help with services, or donate items for their collection.