Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
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Former name | Miami Science Museum and Space Transit Planetarium |
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Established | 1949 | (as the Junior Museum of Miami)
Location | Museum Park, Miami, Florida, US |
Coordinates | {{WikidataCoord}} – missing coordinate data |
Type | Science museum |
Accreditation | AAM, ASTC |
Visitors | Estimated 700,000 per year[citation needed] |
President | Frank Steslow (2017-Present) |
Public transit access | Metrorail access at Museum Park Station (formerly Vizcaya station) |
Website | Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science |
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The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (formerly known as the Miami Science Museum or Miami Science Museum and Space Transit Planetarium) is a science museum, planetarium, and aquarium located in Miami, Florida, United States. The museum originally opened it's Coconut Grove location in 1960 then the museum relocated to Museum Park in the downtown area adjacent to the Perez Art Museum Miami in 2017 after the closing of the Coconut Grove location in 2015.
History
In 1950, the Junior League of Miami opened the Junior Museum of Miami.[1][2] It was located inside a house on the corner of Biscayne Boulevard and 26th Street. Women of the Junior League started it with little seed money and lots of volunteer hours.[2] The exhibits were made up of donated items, such as a hive of live honeybees which hung outside a window, and loaned materials, such as Seminole artifacts from the University of Florida.[1]
In 1952, the museum relocated to a larger space in the Miami Women's Club building on North Bayshore Drive. At that time it was renamed Museum of Science and Natural History.[3]
In 1953, the Guild of the Museum of Science was formed, adding volunteers to assist the staff, run the museum store, and conduct tours and outreach programs.
In 1960, Miami-Dade County built a new 48,000 sq ft (4,500 m2) museum building on a 3-acre (12,000 m2) site in an area of Miami called Coconut Grove.[3]
In 1966, the Space Transit Planetarium was added with a Spitz Model B Space Transit Projector.[4] The projector was the last (of 12) of its type that was built, and the last one still in operation in 2015.[5] The Planetarium was the home of the national astronomy show Star Gazers with Jack Horkheimer.[6]
In 2011, the museum launched and hosted the annual Miami Underwater Festival, in partnership with the French Festival Mondiale de l’Image Sous-Marines (World Festival of Underwater Images). The festival was founded and sponsored by underwater photographer Marko Dimitrijevic and his wife, Shelly.[7][8]
In 1989, the museum's lease agreement with vizcaya was extended by 99 years leaving making the lease end date of the old museum property 2088.[9]
In 2015, the museum's coconut grove location closed in anticipation of the new museums opening in 2017. The dismantled Spitz projector is a permanent display piece in the HistoryMiami museum.[10]
Relocation
In March 2011, Miami native Phillip Frost and his wife, Patricia, donated $35 million to the construction of a new science museum in Downtown Miami.[11] The museum was designed by the New York studio of global firm Grimshaw Architects; Miami's Rodriguez & Quiroga Architects Chartered played an executive role.[12]
The new 250,000 sq ft (23,000 m2) Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science opened on May 8, 2017, in Museum Park in downtown Miami.[13][14] The new museum includes: the Frost Planetarium, a 250-seat full-dome screen with a diameter of 67 feet (20 m) and a 16-million-color, 8K projection system;[15][16] a three-story, cone-shaped, 500,000-US-gallon (1,900,000 L) aquarium with a 31-foot (9.4 m) diameter oculus lens at the bottom for viewing the fish, rays and sharks;[14][17] and the Knight Learning Center with four classrooms.[14]
As of May 11, 2022 the future of the museum's old building remains uncertain with plans to demolish the museum and turn it into a park that are now defunct.[18]
Exhibits
Aquarium
The museum features a multi-level aquarium featuring habitats commonly seen in South Florida and the surrounding areas. The top deck of the Aquarium features key South Florida ecosystems, including the 100-foot wide, 500,000-gallon Gulf Stream Aquarium, where creatures such as mahi-mahi, devil rays, hammerhead sharks and others can be found. The middle level features habitats such as: coral reefs, mangrove forests, and the Gulf Stream. Nearly 30 aquariums and interactive vessels are included to demonstrate the bio-diversity of sub tropical habitats. The bottom-most level exhibits the Gulf Stream Aquarium where drifters such as jellyfish ride the massive flow running along Florida's east coast and into the North Atlantic. The aquarium culminates on this floor with a 31-foot oculus lens forming the bottom of the Gulf Stream Aquarium.
Planetarium
The Frost Planetarium seats 250 people and features six 16-million-color 8K projectors, surround sound, and a 67-foot wide dome screen tilted forward at 23.5°. The planetarium also hosts laser show nights on select dates featuring laser graphics set to music from bands such as Pink Floyd and Queen.[19][20]
Power of Science
The Power of Science exhibits the past achievements of scientists and researchers, while also exhibiting the future of science. The exhibit hosts a series of hands-on exhibits, interactives, rare specimens, an interactive floor, a deep dive into the periodic table of elements, a showcase of collection pieces and scientific instruments used across various scientific fields, and more. Guests learn about the scientific process and other related concepts. The exhibit focuses on four main realms of science: the ocean, the environment, the human body, and the universe.
Solar System and Beyond
Solar System and Beyond showcases over 20 photos and artist renderings of celestial objects by NASA.
Feathers to the Stars
Feathers to the Stars exhibits the history of flight from animals utilizing wings, to humans creating airplanes and spacecraft. The exhibit features demonstrations of lift, drag, and thrust using a small wind tunnel. The exhibit also features a glass cabinet of assorted NASA memorabilia and artifacts.[21]
River of Grass
The River of Grass is an interactive exhibit focused on the Everglades primarily for children. The exhibit consists of two spaces: an outdoor hands-on area, and an indoor virtual Everglades where animal characters interact with guests and teach them about concepts such as biodiversity using stories.
The Sun Spot
This exhibit teaches guests about solar power and the sun. This exhibition has six different exhibits showing different applications for solar power and different methods of utilizing it. The exhibit is located on the roof of the museum.
See also
References
- ^ a b Murrell, Muriel V. (2003). Miami, a Backward Glance. Pineapple Press Inc. pp. 121–124. ISBN 978-1-56164-286-1.
- ^ a b "Our History – Junior League of Miami". Retrieved 2021-04-24.
- ^ a b "Resolution approving issuance of industrial development revenue bonds for the Museum of Science Inc., also known as the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science Project by Miami-Dade County Industrial Development Authority" (PDF). Miamidade.gov. April 5, 2016. p. 8. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ Teproff, Carli (August 30, 2015). "Miami science museum closes after 5 decades before move downtown". miamiherald. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ Alan Gomez (February 19, 2015). "Miami's fallen star: Planetarium fades to black". USA Today. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ Emma Brown (August 24, 2010). "Jack Horkheimer, 72, 'Star Gazer' and host of public TV astronomy show, dies". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ Ross, Duree (2011-05-25). "Miami Science Museum to host first Miami Underwater Festival". Miami's Community News. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ Duree&co (2015-06-10). "Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science Explores the Sea's Mysteries with the 4th Annual Miami Underwater Festival". Durée & Company. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ Suarez, Xavier (June 1, 2015). "A tale of two museums". Miami Hearald. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "History and ourselves-HistoryMiami Museum". HistoryMiami Museum. May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Miami Science Museum Receives $35 Million for New Building". Philanthropy News Digest (PND). March 29, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ Viglucci, Andres (May 4, 2017). "Planets soar. Sharks swarm. Lasers sparkle. Humans rejoice. The Frost Science museum will finally open". miamiherald. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ Kendall, Jonathan (8 May 2017). "The Frost Science Museum Finally Opened Today, and It Was Worth the Wait". Miami New Times. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ a b c Carolyn Guniss (May 3, 2017). "Science museum to be unveiled in Miami". Miamitimesonline.com. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ "Sky-Skan is to Power Miami's New Frost Planetarium". Fulldome Database - FDDB.org. 17 August 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ "Technology - Frost Science". Frost Science. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ "Aquarium - Frost Science". Frost Science. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ Kendall, Jonathan. "Vizcaya Plans to Demolish Former Science Museum Building to Install an Urban Garden". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
- ^ "Planetarium". Frost Science. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
- ^ "Laser Evenings". Frost Science. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
- ^ "Feathers to the Stars". Frost Science. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
External links
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- Museums in Miami
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- Science museums in Florida
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