HOUSTON—On Oct. 3, 2009, a historic prison building in the residential community area of Telfair opened to the public, transformed – as the new Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land. This satellite facility of the Houston Museum of Natural Science includes four permanent galleries reflecting the most popular exhibit areas of the main Museum campus, each illustrating required science topics for Texas schools. In addition to permanent exhibitions, the 43,000 square foot building, and the surrounding 5.5 acres of land that houses HMNS at Sugar Land, presents a variety of compelling traveling exhibitions.
A unique partnership with the Museum, the City of Sugar Land, the Sugar Land 4B Corporation, and Newland Communities has made it possible to bring the best programs, exhibits, theaters and traveling exhibitions from the main Museum campus to this historic building in a very progressive suburban community.
“I look forward to applying my experience raising individual and corporate gifts and service to the community to benefit this world-class museum and the Fort Bend area. By continuing to work together as partners, we will further strengthen awareness of the Museum, its educational programs and treasures,” said Adrienne Barker, director of the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land.
A Walk Through the Museum’s Permanent Galleries
Upon entrance, admire Science on a Sphere, a giant animated globe, and watch as complex environmental processes unfold above you in vivid detail. Visitors can get an even better view from the second floor. Under the Sphere, the articulated skeleton of a large Tyrannosaurus rex welcomes you to the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land. Get an up-close look at one of the world’s best-known dinosaurs—then head over to the Dig Pit to experience the thrill of digging for dinosaurs first-hand.
Learn about the amazing variety of life on Earth in the Hall of Life Science. See a collection of living frogs, featuring the aptly named Giant African Bullfrog, the exotic Amazon Milk Frogs, and an array of others including Giant Monkey Frogs, Surinam Toads and many more. Compare an amazing variety of skulls of different animal species from around the globe—from a killer whale and a grizzly bear to the humble duckbill platypus and discover the Zuhl Collection of Petrified Wood, featuring stunningly preserved slices of ancient trees that tell the dramatic tale of their history and environment.
Then, explore the Hall of Earth Science—an unparalleled array of amazing geological wonders. Massive amethysts and citrine geodes taller than a person, filled with gleaming purple and golden crystals, are displayed among an array of huge mineral specimens. Nearby, discover a cave of fluorescent minerals in every size and color.
Finally, visit a small, introductory version of the Hall of Space Science, where you will discover wonders of the night sky as seen through the eyes of the Hubble Space Telescope and touch a piece of Mars and the oldest rock on Earth, and then experience three different shows in the Discovery Dome—Dawn of the Space Age, Ice Worlds , and Impact Earth.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land also offers a variety of daytime classes and weekend scout programs. Delve into science and nature in our interactive science labs featuring Museum specimens, artifacts, and laboratory equipment. Students examine ancient objects, investigate technology, meet live animals and conduct scientific experiments in five different, themed labs. Each lab lasts one hour. Scout classes for Webelos fill a Saturday morning. Boy Scout merit badge programs last the whole day.
Museum Store
Bring the wonders of the natural world home, or find the perfect gift for your favorite science kid. Educational and child friendly toys, science kits, books, DVDs and much more are available to discover.
“We are extremely excited about the opening of the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land. This project not only represents years of hard work and partnership with the Museum and Newland Communities, but it is also an important step in growing the cultural arts and entertainment opportunities in Sugar Land,” said Mayor James A. Thompson. “We look forward to watching the enduring impact that this project will have on our community for many years to come.”
Located at 13019 University Blvd.(at the corner of University and New Territory Blvds.), the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land is open Thursday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; and Sunday noon–5 p.m.. For tickets, or more information, visit www.hmns.org or call (281) 313-2277.
