Museum of Discovery facts for kids
Exterior view of entrance, November 2020
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| Established | 1927 |
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| Location | 500 President Clinton Ave., Suite 150 Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Type | Science museum |
The Museum of Discovery is an exciting science museum located in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. It used to be called the Arkansas Museum of Natural History and Antiquities. The museum is inside a historic building in the River Market District, right by the Arkansas River.
This museum focuses on STEM education, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. All the exhibits are interactive, meaning you can touch and explore them! It's also home to a record-breaking musical tesla coil and has a large collection of live animals.
Contents
History of the Museum
How it All Started
The museum was first opened in 1927 by a writer named Bernie Babcock. She wanted to create a cultural place in Arkansas. She started her museum in a small shop on Main Street.
To make sure the museum would last, Bernie Babcock gave it to the city of Little Rock as a Christmas gift in 1929. After that, the museum moved to the city hall.
New Homes and New Names
In 1942, the museum found a new home in the Tower Building of the Little Rock Arsenal. This building was fixed up with help from local groups and the Works Progress Administration, a government program that created jobs during tough economic times. The museum stayed in this building for about 55 years.
The museum kept growing and getting more interesting things to show. It even received a copy of the Arkansaurus fridayi fossil, which is known as "The Arkansas Dinosaur."
Over the years, the museum changed its name a few times. In 1964, it became the Museum of Science and Natural History. Then, in 1983, it was renamed the Arkansas Museum of Science and History. In 1993, the museum earned special recognition from the American Alliance of Museums for its high standards.
Becoming the Museum of Discovery
In 1997 and 1998, the museum changed its name again to the Museum of Discovery: Arkansas' Museum of Science and History. It also moved to its current location in the River Market. In 2003, the Children's Museum of Arkansas joined with the Museum of Discovery.
In 2008, the museum received a large grant of $9.2 million. This money helped them expand and make big improvements. They added new interactive exhibits and built a new entrance.
The Museum of Discovery officially reopened in January 2012. It now had a strong focus on STEM education.
Famous Science Fun
Kevin Delaney, who used to be in charge of visitor experiences at the museum, performed cool science experiments for guests. He also started a program called "Science After Dark" for adults. Later, he became a science expert on the Science Channel and even appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon!
On July 4, 2015, the Museum of Discovery showed off its amazing musical bi-polar tesla coil. This huge device holds a Guinness World Record! It was built in Arizona and given to the museum through a special program.
In April 2019, the museum worked with a local company to create a special hands-on display. This display was designed to help children in Arkansas who are on the autism spectrum.
Recent Challenges
In February 2021, a water pipe burst at the museum, causing a lot of damage. The museum had to close for major repairs. But it reopened its doors on August 21, 2021, ready for visitors again!
What You'll Find at the Museum
The Museum of Discovery is located in a historic building in the River Market District. It's right by the Arkansas River. The Clinton Presidential Center is also very close by.
The museum is all about STEM education. All the exhibits are interactive, so you can learn by doing! They also have a large collection of live animals that you can see.
The Musical Tesla Coil
One of the most exciting exhibits is the musical bi-polar tesla coil. This device is named after its inventor, Nikola Tesla. A tesla coil creates high-voltage electricity that you can see!
The Museum of Discovery's coil makes electrical sparks that dance to different songs. It shares the record for the world's largest bi-polar tesla coil with another museum in Tennessee. This powerful device can produce an amazing 200,000 volts of electricity!
See also
- MOD., Adelaide, South Australia
- Museum of Discovery and Science, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
