Dayton Society of Natural History

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Calendar Events

iGem teams from Wright State University and Ohio State University will be leading extra hands-on science activities at the museum. Visit their activity stations as they encourage scientists of all ages to take a closer look into the world of synthetic biology.

iGem Activity Schedule
12:00-4:00 Activity Tables
Education Lobby 1st Floor
12:00-1:00 Strawberry DNA
Do Lab
1:30-2:30 Strawberry DNA
Do Lab

September| Monday - Friday Daily Programs

9:30 – Toddler Exploration
Kid’s Park
11:00am – What’s in the Sky? Live Show for Little Learners
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
11:30am – Do Lab
Do Lab
1:00pm – The Sky Tonight
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
1:30pm – Science on a Sphere
Science on a Sphere
2:00pm – Cosmic Colors
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
2:30pm – Keeper Talk
Vet Hospital Stage
3:00 – Phantom of the Universe
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
3:30pm – Do Lab
Do Lab

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

September| 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 – Earth, Moon, and Sun
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
1:30pm – Science Theater Program
Science Theater
2:00 – Collection Encounter
Discovery Table
2:00pm – The Sky Tonight (Live Show)
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
2:30pm – Keeper Talk
Vet Hospital Stage
3:00pm – Cosmic Colors
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
3:30pm – Do Lab
Do Lab
4:00pm – Phantom of the Universe
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater

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

September | 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 – The Sky Tonight (Live Show)
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
2:30pm – Keeper Talk
Vet Hospital Stage
3:00pm – Cosmic Colors
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
3:30pm – Do Lab
Do-Lab
4:00pm – Phantom of the Universe
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater

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

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

Museum Store

Discoveries Gift Shop Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 9:00a – 5:00p
Sunday: 12:00p – 5:00p

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.

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The Dome, at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton.

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

SunWatch Harvest Gathering

Take a step back in time and join us on October 8th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm for the Harvest Gathering at SunWatch!

Tickets | $75 per person

This educational and entertaining evening will celebrate the harvest season and include outdoor dining inspired by Ohio’s earliest inhabitants, live music provided by the Miami Valley Flute Circle, and self-guided tours of our reconstructed village.

This special event will take place outside. Please join us for an unforgettable evening at one of Dayton’s original gems.

All proceeds will support SunWatch’s upcoming National Endowment for the Humanities project.

There will also be a raffle for a Rusty Hardin original open air painting she will create during the event! *must be present to win*

1 Entry | $10
3 Entries | $25

Schedule of the Evening:

5:00-5:45: Collections Encounter, Bee Activity, and Mead for All on the deck

5:45: Seating, Opening Prayer & Welcome

6:15: Dinner Service (Miami Valley Flute Circle performing 6:15-7:30)

7:15: Raffle Drawing

7:15-8:00: Village Tours

How to register

Registration is OPEN!
Click the link to register and to purchase raffle tickets