The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is embarking on its most exciting transformation yet! With a $10.5 million investment, we’re reimagining our space to engage visitors in Dayton’s incredible natural history—from the formation of our rivers and aquifer to the role we play in protecting them today. The transformation underway at the Boonshoft Museum highlights the reciprocal relationship we all have with the water in our very neighborhoods. Guests will be transported back to the beginning with immersive life-sized Ice Age recreations of fossils and findings discovered in an Ohio farm, which are now represented in our collection.  

 As guests leave the Ice Age, they will travel through time to the formation of our local rivers, aquifer, and ecosystems. With interactive elements such as a custom water table and a water-themed climbing structure, adults and children alike will gain a unique view of Dayton’s waterways and learn the importance of protecting our water resources. This bold renovation will bring interactive, play-based learning to life, ensuring every explorer experiences the wonder of science, nature, and conservation. 

As Dayton’s premier children’s museum, science center, planetarium, and AZA-accredited zoo, we are evolving to inspire the next generation while preserving what makes Boonshoft so special. With $4.5 million already raised, including major gifts, private foundations, and corporate donations, the campaign has strong public support.  

This is our moment to shape the future—join us! Every drop counts, every donation matters, and together, we’ll ensure that discovery flows for generations to come.  

Donate. Advocate. Be part of the journey. Because just like our rivers, the Boonshoft connects us all.