Museum of Natural History Makes Top 10 List

The Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History in Halifax made Odyssey Magazine's top 10 list of Natural History Museums in North America.

Odyssey Adventures in Science Magazine claims the museum is, "One of the best medium-sized museums anywhere, with lots of hands-on stuff and perspectives not seen elsewhere."

The museum shared the top 10 list with such high-profile museums as the American Museum of Natural History in New York, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, North Carolina Museum of Natural History in Raleigh, Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Dallas Museum of Natural History. The only other Canadian museum to make the list was the Insectarium de Montreal.

"Staff were simply thrilled to learn that we were ranked among some of the finest natural history institutions on the entire continent. It is a fantastic accolade for sure," said Calum Ewing, acting director at the Museum of Natural History. "It proves that good exhibits, good research and good programming can happen at smaller museums."

For more than 150 years the Museum of Natural History, has been collecting, preserving and interpreting the province's natural history for Nova Scotians and visitors.

"We are very proud that this institution has received such well- deserved international recognition," said David Newlands, executive director of the Heritage Division, Department of Tourism and Culture. "It's a fine example among the many great museums we have in our province."

The museum will hold true to its ranking again this summer with a wonderful lineup of programs and activities. The popular Butterfly Pavilion with live exotic-winged wonders opens on July 1 with a Butterfly Social. The in-house bee colony is already buzzing with action and daily programs include Bug Cooking demos, gallery tours, and hands-on activities planned in the World Circus exhibit.

Odyssey Magazine focuses on physical and space science activities and is geared toward teachers and kids between the ages of 10 and 16 years. Each issue features engaging articles, contests, puzzles and chances for readers to submit stories to keep the adventures of discovering science alive.

For more information visit the museum's Web site at nature.museum.gov.ns.ca or call 902-424-6099. The museum is open daily and admission is charged.