Museum of Natural History to Reopen in June

Tours of the museum's construction work will be available to the media on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2-4 p.m. Please contact Jeff Gray at the Museum of Natural History, 902-456-8622.

Nova Scotians will have access to an improved Museum of Natural History once repairs and upgrades to the building's public spaces and galleries are completed this spring.

The museum announced today, Feb. 10, that it will reopen to the public on June 4. The closure, which began last September, allows the museum to offer new visitor experiences and amenities and expand the range of permanent and temporary exhibitions it can host.

"Generations of Nova Scotians have been encouraged to learn about their natural heritage because of the programs and exhibits at this museum," said Bill Greenlaw, executive director of heritage with the department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "The work underway will ensure that the museum continues to inspire future generations."

The museum's public galleries, the nature centre and the retail shop are closed and the Kits for Loan program and school programming is unavailable during construction. The museum will also be closed to the public during March break.

Repairs include work on ceilings, exterior brickwork and elevators. Additional work involves lighting and flooring and a refurbished retail shop and admissions area, complete with seating and amenities for visitors.

Administrative offices at 1747 Summer St., Halifax, including those for the Museum of Natural History, Nova Scotia Museum Collections, and the department's heritage division, are open.

Museum staff are using the time to plan a number of new programs and events and will also launch a new website in partnership with the Nova Scotia Museum.

For the latest information on the museum closure and upcoming programs and events, visit http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/ .