Illuminating Minds: Celebrating Nature and Science in Our Community
Step into a world of discovery at the Marion Natural History Museum, proudly marking our 150th anniversary in 2022! Our enduring mission is to ignite a passion for the natural world, cultivate environmental guardians, and instill a lifelong zeal for learning through accessible science and technology. Our focus? The rich natural history of our locality, brought to life through engaging exhibits, enlightening lectures, and interactive educational programs for both the young and the young at heart.
As a cornerstone of education and information in our community, the Museum is dedicated to exploring and explaining the wonders of our local coastal and offshore environments. Our exhibits, archives, and dynamic outreach programs delve into pertinent issues, sparking public interest and deepening understanding of science and natural history. Our goal? To nurture a profound and informed connection with our environment, fostering a community that is both aware and caring.
The Museum is more than just a place to visit; it's a launchpad for future scientists, naturalists, and engineers. Our impact resonates through generations, nurturing the curiosity and ambition of area youth. We invite you to be part of this journey – as a visitor, volunteer, member, sponsor, donor, or partner organization. Join us in celebrating and sustaining this legacy, especially as we commemorate our 150th anniversary.
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.”
~ Rachel Carson
Join Us For Our Upcoming Events
Winter Tree Walk with DCR forester James Rassman
Join us with James Rassman, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation Forester, who will lead our adult group on a walk to identify some of our trees in winter. We’ll…
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Trees From the Ground Up – what do trees do for us?
Join us while we welcome State Forester James Rassman, who will be speaking about all the benefits a tree provides, from roots and fungi to providing habitat for animals, to…
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Birds of Panama: The Amazing Birds that Bridge the Americas
Throughout history, Panama has functioned as a land bridge connecting North and South America, facilitating the movement of diverse animal and bird species. It is also a central feature of…
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Learn how to participate in a “Frog Watch”
Come learn about the frogs and toads of our region with Certified Frog Watcher Maggie Payne. We’ll examine some of our more common species and hopefully some live specimens. We’ll…
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Butterfly Arrivals with Joe Dwelley
Join us with “Butterfly man” Joe Dwelley who will be focusing his presentation on the butterflies we might see in spring, summer and fall. He’ll be focusing on native plantings…
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Wriggly Wonders
Did you know that a red wiggler worm will comsume half of it’s body weight in food scraps every day? Getting worms to work for you is a great way…
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Exploring Marion’s Vernal Pools
Salamanders, frogs, and turtles, oh my! Bring out the kid in you and let’s have some fun investigating the animals we can find in our temporary spring pools. Using the…
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Spring Pools of Marion’s Forest
Let’s find out the important role the animals that live in our spring ponds play in our ecosystem. We’ll be taking a close-up look at the attributes that make a…
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