We Bring Nature and Science Education to Our Community
Join us at the Marion Natural History Museum where we are celebrating our 150th Anniversary this year! Our mission is to spark natural curiosity, foster environmental stewardship, and inspire lifelong learning by making science and technology accessible to all. We specialize in the natural history of our local area, and provide exhibits, lectures, and educational programs for youth and adults.
The Museum acts as an educational and informational resource for the surrounding area focusing on our local coastal and offshore areas. We relate issues of concern that pertain to those areas through our archives, displays, and outreach programs. By promoting public interest in and knowledge of science and natural history, we aim to increase our collective awareness of our relationship within our environment.
A well-loved institution in our area, the Museum has helped to guide our area youth into careers in nature, science, and engineering. We welcome visitors, volunteers, and new members. We seek sponsors, donors, and partner organizations to support us, especially in preparation for 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
Tour the historic Bird Island lighthouse
Friday afternoon, September 29 Let’s learn a little about the history of the Bird Island Lighthouse. The historic structures and hear a ghost story involving the first lighthouse keeper and…
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Woodland walk for Mushrooms
The summer may not have been the best for visits to the beach, but ducks, frogs, and mushrooms were happy with the frequent rain! Join us for a mid-autumn hike…
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Talking Terrapins
Deb Ewing oversees a diamondback terrapin conservation area in Marion and has partnered with the New England Coastal Wildlife alliance to protect Diamondback Terrapins. She will be sharing information regarding…
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Fall forests with Jim Rassman
November 8th – AN INTRODUCTION TO Fall FORESTS with state forester Jim Rassman. We will learn about different types of local trees, how to tell how old a tree is,…
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History of cranberry bogs
USDA soil scientist Maggie Payne will guide us through what creates a cranberry bog. From their glacial creation through their geologic history up to the present.
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Build a Bog
Let’s investigate how cranberry bogs were created from glacial times to now. We will be creating our own bog-in-a-cup to bring home.
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Design a butterfly!
Artist Karen Alves-Cronin is offering an opportunity for the community to help design an item for our butterfly display. We have a collection from the 1800’s and will be giving…
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How watersheds work
What is a watershed? We will be using the museum’s watershed table to experiment how a watershed reacts to certain conditions. We will be using our creativity and hands on…
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