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Museum of Life and Science reopens to members

Museum leaders hope to reopen the museum to the general public soon as well.

Posted Updated

By
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall
, Go Ask Mom editor
DURHAM, N.C. — After closing in March because of the pandemic, the Museum of Life and Science will reopen Tuesday on a limited basis and only to members.

"We're excited to welcome members back to the museum, and so far we've been overwhelmed with the response," said Matt Pusateri, the museum's senior director of marketing. "Within the first hour of the announcement, we have had hundreds of reservations for the reopening. Many time slots have already been 100% booked."

The museum, according to its website, has made significant changes to pave the way for this limited reopening. There's a new online ticketing system, timed ticket entry, enhancements that allow for a touchless experience and plexiglass dividers between each train seat on the Ellerbe Creek Railway, among many other changes.

"Our team has worked hard over the past few months improving everything from admissions experience to the airflow systems to the new touchless faucet and soap dispensers, all designed to help provide a better, safer experience for visitors and staff," Pusateri said.

During this initial opening for museum members only, the Dinosaur Trail, Train, Farmyard, Sailboats, Sprout Café, and Explore the Wild will be open.

"While some of your other favorite exhibits and indoor experiences may remain closed a bit longer, we welcome you to enjoy the museum grounds for a great day outside with family or friends," the website says. "Make it a nature stroll with the kids, an animal-viewing experience, or a family hike under the trees."

The museum also has new measures in place to keep visitors and staff healthy. Among them:

  • All guests, staff and volunteers will be required to wear face masks while at the museum. Kids under 11 and those with certain medical conditions will not be required to wear the mask.
  • Guests are urged to respect six-foot distances between groups.
  • New sanitization stations have been added to the museum's grounds and visitors are encouraged to wash their hands frequently.
  • Drinking fountains are closed, but the museum has added water bottle filling stations.

For now, museum members are limited to two visits per week. Pusateri said museum leaders hope to open the museum to all soon.

"We hope to expand the reopening to general admission visitors soon as well. We also hope to open up more of the museum in the near future, but we are waiting for the green light from local and state health agencies," he said.

More information about the museum's reopening, including details about the updates the museum has made, are on the museum's website.

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