Welcome to the “People’s University,” Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI
Founded: June 1896
Our mission is to steward and interpret natural and cultural collections through exhibits, education and research to inspire people of all ages and cultures to enjoy the natural world, in order to better understand themselves and the world. The Museum of Natural History is Rhode Island’s only natural history museum and is home to the state’s only public planetarium. For more than a century the museum has served as a unique educational, scientific and cultural resource by offering exciting exhibits and programming that provide ways for children and families to learn about our world and its people.
Museum is open daily from 10am-4pm with Planetarium shows at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday. Please use our online ticketing system. Planetarium show tickets MUST BE purchased online. Join the Rhode Island Historical Society, as part of Smithsonian Affiliations in collaboration with the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, on Saturday, June 17 for Sally Ride Day: Sally’s Night Celebrating Women in STEM. Building renovations and system improvements started in April 2023. Please be patient during construction.
