Dayton Society of Natural History

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Upcoming Events

May Calendar Events

Monday Daily Programs

9:30am – Toddler Exploration
Kid’s Park
11:00am – One World, One Sky: Sesame Street
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
12:00pm – Wildest Weather in the Solar System
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
1:00pm – Earth, Moon, and Sun
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
2:30pm – Keeper Talk
Vet Hospital Stage
3:30pm – Do-Lab
Do Lab

Tuesday - Friday Daily Programs

9:30am – Toddler Exploration
Kid’s Park
11:00am – One World, One Sky: Sesame Street
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
12:00pm – Wildest Weather in the Solar System
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
1:00pm – The Sky Tonight
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
2:30pm – Keeper Talk
Vet Hospital Stage
3:30pm – Do-Lab
Do Lab

Saturday Daily Programs

9:30am – Toddler Exploration
Kid’s Park
11:30am – Science Theater Program
Science Theater
12:00pm – One World, One Sky: Sesame Street
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
1:00pm – Wildest Weather in the Solar System
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
2:00pm – Sky Tonight
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
2:30pm – Keeper Talk
Vet Hospital Stage
3:00pm – Earth, Moon, and Sun
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
3:30pm – Do-Lab
Do Lab
4:00pm – SpacePark 360
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater

Sunday Daily Programs

1:00pm – One World, One Sky: Sesame Street
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
1:30pm – Science Theater Program
Science Theater
2:00pm – Sky Tonight
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
2:30pm – Keeper Talk
Vet Hospital Stage
3:00pm – Earth, Moon, and Sun
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
3:30pm – Do-Lab Program
Do-Lab
4:00pm – Wildest Weather in the Solar System
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater

Admission cost

WE ARE OPEN!

Monday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Admission

Children (3-17) $11.50
Adults $14.50
Seniors (60+) $12.50
Children (under 3) Free
DSNH Members are FREE
Remember! Members must present ID with their membership card during every visit.

The Boonshoft Museum is committed to providing a safe environment for all guests; children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult (18+) at all times.
The Boonshoft Museum accepts cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX, and personal checks with proper ID

Public Programs

During your visit at the museum, we encourage you to hop into one of our exciting public programs! These programs invite visitors to learn about a variety of topics around the museum, and they are not only educational, but fun and engaging! Whether you like chemistry, astronomy, biology, or just want to be surprised, we have something for all ages!

For an overview of certain public programs we offer throughout the year. Click To Visit our Public Programs Page

Museum Store

Live Animals

They are adorable, furry, feathered, and sometimes even scaly, but most visitors agree – the residents of the Discovery Zoo are a must-see on every trip to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. Managed by the Live Animals Department, the Discovery Zoo consists of over one hundred animals and insects, ranging from entertaining river otters and elusive bats and kinkajous, to the ever-popular meerkats.

Our Humble Beginnings

The Dayton Museum of Natural History began in 1893 as a part of the Dayton Public Library and Museum. Over the years, collections gathered by prominent Dayton citizens on their trips around the world were contributed to the museum. Local natural history collections were also contributed.

1913 Floor - The collection was on the second floor of the library
1921 - the library moved the Museum into the nearby Steely Building located at the corner of 2nd and Ludlow.
1927 - The Museum moved back to the library into the newly constructed Library Annex.
List Item

* The Dayton Society of Natural History is the parent organization of the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery and its sister organization, SunWatch Indian Village – a museum of the area’s 12th century Fort Ancient Native Americans.

Come see all we have to offer

The Boonshoft museum of Discovery and SunWatch Indian village have much to offer.

Such a fun experience for the little ones!! Not only are allowed to just be kids and play, everything they touch is educational! We will definitely be coming back!

Alaina Robinson

Great place for kids and adults, lots of interesting and educational exhibits, hands-on activities for children of all ages. All in a beautiful setting with a planetarium, and even a live animal area.

Valerie Fidder

Had a great time here very clean and lots for kids to do!.

Destiny Jade

Summer Fest 2022

Join us Saturday, June 25, for a whole day of family-friendly fun at SunWatch Indian Village and Archaeological Park .

Admission:
$2.50 | DSNH Members
$5 | Nonmembers
(2 and Under FREE)

This event will feature 25 local vendors selling handmade arts and crafts, Smokin Inferno BBQ Truck, I Heart Ice Cream Food Truck, educational programming about the site, activites from community partners, and many other activities!

The event runs from 9am-5pm

Location

SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park located at:

2301 W River Rd.
Dayton, OH 45417

EcoBASH

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery proudly announces this year’s annual fundraiser, the Boonshoft EcoBash, to be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

How to register

Registration is OPEN!

Visit our Events & Activities Page for more information.