Dinosaurs, pirates, and bears-- oh my! The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia has all this and more, available for FREE to you and your family every second Tuesday of the month from 4 pm to 8 pm.
Schiele has several permanent indoor galleries, including the Hall of North Carolina Natural History, with many dioramas that show the diversity of North Carolina from mountains to coastline, the Henry Hall of the American Indian, which celebrates the rich history of major tribal groups in America, and — one of my kids’ favorites — the Hall of North American Wildlife, where you can get an up-close look at dioramas of large wildlife, as well as very much alive snakes, amphibians and small mammals.
The museum is also now featuring Dino Safari, which hosts full-bodied models of prehistoric beasts from the Age of the Dinosaurs. Not only can you see how you size up next to a Triceratops, but you can also try your hand at being a paleontologist — a hands-on experience that will have you digging up bones and experiencing how robotics are a part of modern paleontology. There are several new exhibits opening in the next few months, so be sure to check schielemuseum.org for the latest information.
Hands down, my four and six-year-old kids’ favorite indoor exhibit was The Pirate’s Lair, a pirate ship play area that makes North Carolina coastal history into a play experience with a double-decker pirate boat, “firing” cannon (with sounds and flashes), rope ladders and slides. We stayed in this area for an hour, but I think they could have stayed all day!
During warmer months, you also gain access to the many outdoor exhibits on the museum grounds. Near the museum entrance, you can explore an 18th-century Back-Country Farm, or enter the Nature Trail, which leads to a Grist Mill, the imaginative Playscape play structures or explore the Stone Age Heritage Site. Seasonally, the Catawba Indian Village is open to the public to discover the rich history of Catawba Indian culture.
For a great trip back in time, be sure to visit The Schiele Museum of Natural History and take advantage of the Free Tuesday program, sponsored by Duke Energy. Admission is free on those days during the hours of 4-8pm. Other times, admission is $7 for adults, $6 for children ages 3-17. The Schiele is part of the ASTC Reciprocal Program, so admission is complimentary with your family membership to Catawba Science Center, except on special event days. Planetarium programs are available every day for an additional cost of $5 a person. There is also a gift shop with chips, ice cream treats, drinks and coffee if you need a snack break.
The Schiele is located at 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. in Gastonia, NC. Additional information, including hours and current exhibit information, is available at www.schielemuseum.org.
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