Dayton Society of Natural History

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Upcoming Events

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!!!!
Super Science Saturday | August 20th | Admission on that day is free to the Public.......
The Museum will be CLOSED on | AUGUST 24th for Employee Training | AND | AUGUST 27th for ECO-BASH -- Buy your tickets today.......

Calendar Events

9:30 – Toddler Exploration – Closed August 12th. See you next time!
Kid’s Park
11:00am – One World, One Sky: Sesame Street
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 – Closed for Maintenance. See you next time!
Science on a Sphere
2:00pm – SpacePark 360
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
2:30pm – Keeper Talk
Vet Hospital Stage
3:00 – Secret Lives of Stars
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
3:30pm – Do Lab
Do Lab

August | 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 – SpacePark 360
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
3:30pm – Do Lab
Do Lab
4:00pm – Secret Lives of Stars
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater

August | 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 – SpacePark 360
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater
3:30pm – Do Lab
Do-Lab
4:00pm – Secret Lives of Stars
Caryl D. Philips Space Theater

Important Notices

Museum Closed – The museum will be closed to the public on August 24th for staff development and August 27th in preparation for our EcoBash. See you next time!

First steps back to the Moon? – On the morning of August 29th at approximately 9am, if all goes to plan, NASA will launch the first of the Artemis missions. This unmanned rocket will test elements needed to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Boonshoft guests are invited to watch the launch live in the planetarium. Click here to learn more!

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

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

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.
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* 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

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.