The New North Museum- a vision for the future

I would like to share a vision of a new North Museum, an interactive, regional science museum that attracts increasing numbers of visitors of all ages to the Lancaster area.

It's spacious, versatile, and flexible with new exhibits and programs.  It's the kind of place that families look forward to visiting together with exhibits and activities for everyone.  It's a destination unique to Lancaster -- that reflects the local architecture and carries within it a tradition of interest in nature and the environment that dates back hundreds of years to the beginnings of science in colonial America and reaches back thousands of years to the survival of native people along the Susquehanna River.

Imagine a gallery that incorporates the mounted mammal and bird collections, a touch screen map that explores natural habitats, bird silhouettes that fly across the room at your touch, and activities for children that include dressing up as your favorite animal.  A step though a door will take you to the living insect and reptile zoo.

While rooted in tradition, the new North Museum brings visitors into the digital age, takes advantage of new advances in the sharing of digital information, and provides a forum for hands-on learning in a safe and comfortable environment.

The world around us is changing rapidly and the new North will change wit it, providing the community with changing exhibitions on a wide array of subjects -- from DNA to the Milky Way.  Our prime location provides us with many potential partners.  When people visit Lancaster, they'll be looking for a place to go just like this, where they can feel free to explore in intimate and pleasant surroundings, where active engagement in science takes place along with discussion and dialogue. Opportunities for self-directed and open exploration are presented in context and there will also be places for study and quiet contemplation of the wonders of the universe.  So, I ask you: can you see it?

Margie Marino, Executive Director

If you have ideas to share about the new North Museum click here.