Explore Cultures, Nature and Space at the Museum of Natural History, RI

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One of Rhode Island’s most interesting museums also happens to be the only museum of its kind in the state. The Museum of Natural History in Providence is the only museum in Rhode Island dedicated exclusively to natural and cultural history, and it is also the site of the state’s only public planetarium.

Visitors to the Museum of Natural History enjoy touring a unique variety of exhibits that feature objects from its one quarter million item collections. Mollusks, mounted flora and fauna, fossils, rocks and minerals are featured in natural history exhibits. Cultural exhibits feature archaeological and ethnographic objects originating mainly from Pacific Island and Native Americans cultures.

One fascinating exhibit currently featured at the Museum of Natural History is Circle of the Sea. This exhibit allows visitors to explore and learn about Oceanic cultures of the Pacific islands. Particular emphasis is given to the arts, skills, and traditions that demonstrate how Oceanic cultural activities relate to and reflect their natural surroundings. You will see how beautiful artistic, ceremonial and every day items have been crafted from natural materials found in the Pacific Islands.  

All Things Connected is another cultural exhibit you can tour at Rhode Island’s Museum of Natural History. Many items from the Museum’s extensive collection of Native American baskets, clothing, textiles, beadwork, tools, and other handcrafted objects are on display in this exploration of Native American material culture. The unique relationship and interaction between Native Americans and the natural world is highlighted in this exhibit.

A third exhibit you will enjoy touring at the Museum of Natural History is entitled Natural Selections. This intriguing exhibit features many of the items donated to the Museum by private collectors that originally inspired the foundation of the Museum in 1896. These interesting items are exhibited in Victorian style displays that illustrate how natural history collections were showcased at the turn of the century.

There is an exciting lunar-themed exhibit entitled Mission Moon: Past, Present, and Future currently on display at the Museum of Natural History. The formation of the moon, its evolution and man’s ongoing fascination with the moon are examined in this impressive exhibit.  Lunar photographs taken from Ranger to Apollo and data collected from Clementine to Lunar Prospector are featured in displays. 3D imagery from the Apollo and Surveyor programs as well as an authentic sample of Moon rock obtained from NASA are included in this exhibit.

You may also wish to plan to attend one of the special Planetarium programs held at the Museum on weekends. A variety of programs are featured at the Planetarium. You may see a show exploring the discoveries of the Hubble Telescope, the origin and life cycle of stars, or a program that details Pawnee Native American astronomical observations.