Kentucky Science Center facts for kids
Front facade of the Kentucky Science Center
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| Former name | Louisville Museum of Natural History & Science |
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| Established | 1871 |
| Location | 727 West Main Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202 |
| Type | Science |
| Public transit access | TARC (Route 4, 77) |
| Nearest parking | On site |
The Kentucky Science Center is Kentucky's biggest science museum. It is located in Louisville, Kentucky, on a street called "Museum Row" in the West Main District of downtown. This museum is a non-profit organization, meaning it uses its money to help people learn, not to make a profit.
The museum first opened in 1871. Back then, it was a collection of items from natural history. Many students in Kentucky visit the Kentucky Science Center on field trips. About 550,000 people visit the museum every year.
In 1998, a special area for children was updated and named KidZone. This area has six different sections with fun, hands-on activities.
About the Building
The Kentucky Science Center is located at 727 West Main Street. The building is very large, about 150,000 square feet. It has a special front design made of cast-iron and limestone.
Building History
The building was first built in 1878. It was used as a warehouse for selling dry goods. The city of Louisville bought the building in 1975. The museum moved into this building in 1977. It even won awards for keeping the old building's design.
In 1988, a four-story digital theater was added to the museum. This theater was updated again in early 2014. A large pendulum has been a popular feature in the lobby for many years.
Expanding the Museum
On January 11, 2007, the Kentucky Science Center announced it would buy the Alexander Building. This building was built in 1880 and is right next to the original museum.
In 2009, the museum opened a new Science Education Wing. This wing is on the first floor of the building. It has four science workshop labs. These labs are set up for visitors to do "hands-on" experiments. The Alexander Building has five floors and is nearly 37,000 square feet.
See Also
- Tchaenhotep – a Third Intermediate Period mummy that the center owns
- List of attractions and events in the Louisville metropolitan area
- List of museums in the Louisville metropolitan area
