North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC
Learn More About North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Raleigh is home to many historic structures, including the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences,North Carolina’s oldest established museum. This landmark structure is one of the state’s leading tourist destinations and most visited museums.
The popularity of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, NC, has encouraged the growth of amenities in the neighborhood, such as homes, apartments, hotels, banks, bars, restaurants, etc.
History
In 1879, the North Carolina State Museum was created by combining a pair of state-owned collections of agricultural and geologic specimens. It was initially called the Briggs Building on Fayetteville St home before moving to its current location. In the 1950s and 1990s, changes in the education sector further expanded its holdings as colleges and universities began donating their prized collections to the state.
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources administers the museum, which now features a collection of over 1.5 million specimens of mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, vertebrate and invertebrate fossils, geology, and meteorites. The new building opened its doors over two decades ago.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
One of the most exciting things in the museum is the Nature Neighborhood Garden located at the Prairie Ecostation, an area designated for learning and wildlife. This garden has sun-loving, native North Carolina plants and vegetation attractive to humans and wildlife. The park also contains an above-ground pond, two small bog gardens, a green-roofed pavilion, and a water-harvesting system.
It’s a peaceful and magical place to visit all year round, and it boasts three flower seasons alongside a myriad of colorful birds and insects. Nature neighborhoods are places like environmental education centers, residential backyards, or school grounds specifically designed to attract certain animals and provide for them.
In addition, the garden serves as an outdoor space where students can learn and as a research lab. It helps to research and demonstrate ways to provide enjoyment and learning about nature and find ways to attract wildlife and raise native plants.
It also houses the Nature Research Center, which sits on an 80,000 sq. ft area. The four-story facility is located across from the Nature Exploration Center. A breezeway connects the Nature Research Center and the Nature Exploration Center. This center was opened in 2012 and drew over 65,000 visitors in the first 24 hours.
The museum is also home to the Dueling Dinosaurs. It is a scientifically essential and well-preserved specimen of a Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops possibly locked in battle. The museum acquired the Dueling Dinosaurs in 2016 from finders who could not sell the fossils to private collectors and museums.
Apartments and homes are popular options for a stay around the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. You can find a rental that meets your needs, whether traveling with family, friends or even pets. The homes boast excellent amenities, such as swimming pools, outside barbecues, BBQs, etc. The rentals start at $70 per night.
