by Dot Cannon
A new name. A new identity. LOTS of activities that mix fun with education, often as participants learn by playing. A party, to commemorate decades of fantastic, hands-on educational programming.
Oh, and ice cream, too.
All of the above will be a part of the celebration, as Las Vegas Natural History Museum celebrates its 34th anniversary this week.
And it all starts, this Friday, July 11th, with a new name.
Unveiling a new identity
At 11:00 on Friday morning, the museum will host a ribbon-cutting, in partnership with the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, as the doors open on its new identity: the Las Vegas Science and Natural History Museum.
“With our new name, the Las Vegas Science & Natural History Museum, we’re enhancing our offerings to feature more dynamic science activities and exhibits for the Las Vegas community,” said Executive Director Laurie Thomas in a recent press release.
“We look forward to continuing to serve our community and inspire curiosity for years to come.”
Creativity plus interactivity
Throughout their decades in Southern Nevada, the museum has brought science and natural history to life through imaginative exhibits and hands-on interactive programming.
We’ve had the pleasure of discussing their 2022 “Da Vinci and Robotics” exhibit with then-LVNHM Co-Executive Director Kate Porter, as well as Summer, 2024’s “Wild World: Stories of Conservation and Hope” with LVNHM Education Director Grace Njoroge and Little Ray’s Nature Centre CEO/Founder Paul Goulet.
And every October, the museum hosts their “Dino-Ween” special Halloween event–complete with specially-engineered “puking pumpkins”!
Look for the magic to continue, this Saturday, as you’re invited to their birthday party!
Time for a celebration
This Saturday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the museum hosts its 34th birthday party with a “mad scientist” theme.
Lemon “volcanoes” will be erupting. Ice will be fizzing. Participants will be creating electric Play-Doh lightning bugs and writing with invisible ink.
Plus, Anderson Dairy will be providing ice cream for the celebration.
And these are just a few of the activities included with regular museum admission or membership, as Las Vegas Science and Natural History Museum renews its commitment to hands-on educational programming, dynamic exhibits and accessible learning experiences in science and natural history.
RSVPs are encouraged; this will be the museum’s biggest birthday celebration yet, and it’s likely to be popular! Here’s the link to RSVP.
Meanwhile, Happy Birthday, LVNHM–or should we say, Las Vegas Science and Natural History Museum! May you celebrate many more decades of hands-on inspiration.