Past Exhibitions


Amazing Butterflies

Amazing Butterflies invites you to shrink down into the undergrowth to become one of the most extraordinary creatures on earth.…

Amber Secrets: Feathers from the Age of Dinosaurs

Prized amber gems began their journey through deep time in liquid form— as resin secreted by trees, likely in response to injury. This…

Amending America: The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to our Constitution, is rooted in English tradition. Its origin has a…


Amusement Park Science

What’s the next best thing to building a real roller coaster in Sugar Land? A way for families to explore…

Ancient Ukraine

6,000 Years Of Archaeology! On tour for the first time in the United States, the exhibit ДРЕВНЯ УКРАЇНА (Ancient Ukraine)…

Archaeopteryx: Icon of Evolution

Archaeopteryx: Icon of Evolution was on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science from April 23 through September 6, 2010.…


Art and the Animal

Art and the Animal: The Society of Animal Artists 56th Annual Members Exhibition The Society of Animal Artists (SAA), founded…

Art of the Gunsmith: From Columbus to Napoleon

For over six centuries, firearms have contributed to a range of narratives in international history. From finely chiseled steel to…

Battleship Texas

It is June 6, 1944, and a fleet of battleships are in position for a large-scale, Allied invasion in Normandy,…


Benjamin Franklin

Happy 300th Birthday, Ben! He drew lightning from the sky, helped establish the first public hospital, university and library, and…

Big Bend Photos

Stunning Photo Exhibit Showcases Texas' Big Bend Located in far West Texas, the region of Texas that is embraced by…

Biodiversity in the Art of Carel Pieter Brest van Kempen

Brest van Kempen’s meticulously executed paintings in rich jewel tones explore the variety of nature and attest to the artist’s belief that chief…


Biophilia: A Dialogue of Nature, Art and Science

BIOPHILIA: A Dialogue with Art, Nature and Science is an extensive art and multimedia sensory experience that unravels man’s intimate…

Block Party

Parenting fact: when kids aren’t making stuff, they’re tearing it apart. At Block Party you can let them do both…

Body Carnival: The Science And Fun Of Being You

Body Carnival is a carnival-themed interactive exhibit that explores the connections between perception and the laws of physics in the…


BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life

BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life delivers a breathtaking encounter with the inner workings of the human body and…

BODY WORLDS 2 & The Brain – Our Three Pound Gem

Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS 2 & The Brain – Our Three Pound Gem: The Original Exhibition of Real Human…

BODY WORLDS 3: The Anatomical Exhibition Of Real Human Bodies

Created by Dr. Gunther von Hagens, BODY WORLDS 3 is the culmination of the German scientist and physician’s 30-year career…


Bronze Sculptures of Bob Pack

Bronze Sculptures Bring Fort Bend Birds To Life Fort Bend County is home to over 100 species of birds, many of which…

Bulgari: 130 Years Of Masterpieces

Presenting 150 show-stopping pieces inspired by Greco-Roman classicism, the Italian Renaissance, and the 19th-century Roman school of goldsmiths, along with…

China’s Lost Civilization: The Mystery Of Sanxingdui

During the summer of 1986, construction workers accidentally uncovered an astounding cache of ancient jades, bone, pottery, elephant tusks, and…


Chocolate: The Exhibition

Chocolate explored the lush environment in which the cacao tree originated, tracing its transformation from the rainforest to a locally…

Conservation Quest ®

Go Green! Learn about energy - what it is, where it comes from, how we use it and why it's…

Crime Lab Detective

In Crime Lab Detective, it’s up to you to solve the Johnson Family Mystery! In this new special exhibition, visitors…


Crystals Of India

Discover the Crystals of India at HMNS at Sugar Land. Originating from India’s Deccan Plateau, a large geologic formation that…

CSI: The Experience

You've seen the hit television crime drama, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation on CBS.  Now, there’s a forensic science exhibition related…

Curator's Choice: Recent Acquisitions of the Houston Museum of Natural Science

On average, the Houston Museum of Natural Science adds 3,000–5,000 new artifacts and specimens to the Permanent Collections each year.…


Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls are ranked among the world’s greatest archaeological discoveries. Rarely seen outside Jerusalem, selections of these 2000…

Death by Natural Causes

Snakes. Spiders. Sharks.  The things you fear are the least of your worries! Death by Natural Causes will introduce patrons…

Diana, a Celebration

This extraordinary exhibition celebrating the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales came direct from the Althorp Estate in…


Dinosaur Discovery

Enter our time machine and journey back 230 million years into the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods when dinosaurs roamed the…

Dinosaur Mummy CSI

The Houston Museum of Natural Science, in association with the Judith River Foundation, developed Dinosaur Mummy CSI: Cretaceous Science Investigation,…

Dinosaur Prophecy

Solve Four Cold Cases From The Age Of The Dinosaurs! Long before dinosaurs’ massive extinction 65 million years ago, many…


Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries

The understanding of dinosaur biology has evolved considerably during the past two decades. Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries explained this evolution…

Discovering The Civil War

Layers of time and memory obscure the American Civil War in a smoky haze. The real human beings, military and…

Fabergé: From a Snowflake to an Iceberg

Organized by the Houston Museum of Natural Science with the McFerrin Collection With the addition of over 150 new pieces,…


Fabergé: Imperial Jeweler To The Tsars

Perhaps best known for the Imperial Easter Eggs created for the Russian Royal family, the House of Fabergé also fashioned…

Forgotten Gateway

Coming To America Through Galveston Island From 1845 to 1924, the Port of Galveston was a major gateway to American…

Frogs! A Chorus of Colors

Frogs! A Chorus of Colors introduced visitors to the amazing and sonorous world of anurans - the frogs.  These fascinating…


Gems of the Medici

In the mid-1400s, many celebrated artists, goldsmiths, silversmiths and engravers were attracted by the abundance of wealth in the city…

Gems of the Sea: The Guido T. Poppe Collection

World class. One of a kind. Never before seen. Made by mollusks. The Philippines consists of over 7,500 islands in Southeast…

Gemstone Carvings

Marvel at the extraordinary artworks of Harold Van Pelt in the exhibition Gemstone Carvings: The Masterworks of Harold Van Pelt.…


Genghis Khan

Born with nothing, he rose to become the most powerful man of his time, conquering nations to build the largest…

Geopalooza! A Hard Rock Anthology

Spotlighting all manner of the Earth’s natural treasures in a groovy environment, Geopalooza! A Hard Rock Anthology was the ultimate…

Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum

Gladiator combat has evolved into one of the defining symbols of ancient Roman culture. Immortalized by films, gladiators locked in…


Gold! Natural Treasure, Cultural Obsession

Gold inspired the madness of gold rushes, held steadfast in value through world turmoil and transformed into objects of pure…

Imperial Rome

Imperial Rome explored the magnificence of Rome during its reign as the dominant political, economic and military power of the western…

InFocus: A Museum Photographic Experience

  Picture Yourself Here! Our newest exhibit space has a special focus on the photogenic. Inspired by recently popular pop-up art…


Knights

Chivalry and duty are bound together by the masterpieces of European arms and armors, dating from the Medieval and Renaissance…

Kremlin Gold

Featuring over 350 jeweled treasures from the world-renowned collections of the Kremlin Museums in Moscow, this exhibition presented an historical…

La Virgen de Guadalupe: Empress of the Americas

She’s been a symbol of hope, protection and comfort to her followers for almost 500 years, but why? What is…


Lego Robotics

Our most popular summer camp is now available during the school year! Join us at HMNS in Sugar Land after…

Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius

Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest geniuses the world has ever known.  More than 500 years ago, Da…

Life in Stone

In Memory of Gerd Dreher Gerd Dreher is widely regarded as the most talented carver of gemstones to have ever…


Lizards & Snakes

Lizards & Snakes showcased live animals and their remarkable adaptations, including projectile tongues, deadly venom, amazing camouflage, and sometimes surprising…

Lucy's Legacy

Lucy's Legacy explored the rich history and culture of Ethiopia, the cradle of mankind. From the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and…

Machu Picchu: Unveiling The Mystery Of The Incas

This exhibit invited visitors to travel into the past, first to the famed archaeological site with the 1911 Yale Peruvian…


Magic!

Magic-illusory feats of wonder that dazzle the eye and confound expectations-has fascinated humanity for centuries. Mesmerized by the masters of…

Magna Carta

An original edition of the “Magna Carta,” and the only known example of the King’s Writ — a letter from…

Mapping Texas: From Frontier to the Lone Star State

Featuring maps dating from 1513 to 1920, the special exhibition Mapping Texas: From Frontier to the Lone Star State traces…


Mars by Luke Jerram

Our Solar System neighbor has never been closer! Usually a small twinkle in the sky, Mars comes to HMNS in…

Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats

Blind, blood-sucking, squeaky creatures that get tangled in your hair—BATS?! Visitors to Masters of the Night: The True Story of…

Maya 2012: Prophecy becomes History

Maya civilization was one of the longest-lived in the Americas. A Stone Age culture, the ancient Maya developed the most…


Message in a Bottle

Throughout history, the Message in a Bottle phenomenon makes many appearances; Greek water current studies, Japanese epics, Poe, Dickens, and…

Microsculpture: The Insect Photography of Levon Biss

Levon Biss is a British photographer born in London.  For the last 20 years Levon’s photography has continually developed and…

Moon by Luke Jerram

Houston, we have a landing. Guest-favorite Moon by Luke Jerram rises again at HMNS. Created by artist Luke Jerram, this sculpture…


Mummies of the World

Come face to face with the largest exhibition of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled. The exhibit provides a…

Mummy: The Inside Story

For years, the only way to learn about Egyptian mummies was to unwrap them - a destructive and ultimately irreversible…

National Geographic Channel Presents SuperCroc

This exhibition highlighted National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Paul Sereno's groundbreaking discovery of a giant, 110-million-year-old crocodilian, Sarcosuchus imperato.  The fossilized…


Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters

Earthquakes. Tornadoes. Hurricanes. Volcanic eruptions. Tsunamis. These immense geological and meteorological forces shaped our planet and our world. Nature Unleashed:…

Out of the Amazon: Life on the River

The Houston Museum of Natural Science has an unparalleled Amazonia collection. Priceless pieces of the collection—ceremonial objects, masks, body costumes, headdresses and more—are showcased…

Penguins Of The Antarctic: A Photographic Expedition

Except for the sounds of the rookeries, the expansion and contraction of the ice, and the howl of the wind,…


Pompeii : The Exhibition

POMPEII: The Exhibition examines the lives of residents of Pompeii before and after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August…

Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs

Discover 181 Priceless Egyptian Artifacts in this World Premiere Exhibition! Transport back 3,200 years, across the sands of the Sahara…

Real Pirates!

Hoist The Jolly Roger! Dive into the wreck of the Whydah to discover the true stories of Real Pirates through more than 200 fascinating…


ROBOTS

Explore The "Reel" And Real Science Of Robotics Long before the word “robot” existed and before computers were commonly used,…

Royal Tombs of Ur: Ancient Treasures From Modern Iraq

For centuries, the royal tombs of Ur in modern-day Iraq, known in the Bible as the home of the patriarch…

Saint Peter and The Vatican

This comprehensive exhibition highlighted the historic role of the Popes of the Catholic Church from St. Peter to Pope John…


Samurai: The Way Of The Warrior

The term “samurai” is one we readily associate with Japan. Roughly translated as “those who serve,” the term refers to…

Secret of the Cardboard Rocket

For our youngest visitors and their parents, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket is a delightful animated feature. Two children turn…

Secret World Of The Forbidden City: Splendors From China’s Imperial Palace, 1644-1911

This exhibit included artifacts from the Quing Dynasty (1644-1911) many of which have never before been shown in North America. …


Secrets of the Silk Road

Uncover The Extraordinary Secrets Of The Silk Road Strikingly well-preserved mummies, tall in stature and fair in complexion, have lain…

Shark!

Get to know sharks in a new interactive, informative live touch tank experience. See what it’s like to get up…

Spies, Traitors, Saboteurs: Fear And Freedom In America

Spies, Traitors, Saboteurs: Fear And Freedom In America reveals nine major events and periods in U.S. history when Americans were…


Spirits & Headhunters: Vanishing Worlds Of The Amazon

Today, the Amazon is one of the world's most diversified regions, encompassing the rainforests of northeastern South America and the…

State of Water: Our Most Valuable Resource

Those of us with access to water can rely on the simplicity of turning a knob or pushing a button…

Stonehenge: Ancient Mysteries and Modern Discoveries

Over 1.5 million people annually travel to the south of England to experience this mysterious wonder and World Heritage site,…


Sweet – A Tasty Journey

See Sweet and get a treat! On Fridays, come explore the world of candy in our new special exhibition Sweet…

Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians Of China's First Emperor

The Houston Museum of Natural Science presented one of the most extraordinary archaeological finds of the 20th century, considered by…

Texas! The Exhibition

Cowboys, immigrants, farmers, roughnecks: Texas has a history as large as the state itself! Explore the unique roles that Texas…


The Art of the Brick

Named one of CNN’s Top Ten ‘Global Must-See Exhibitions,’ THE ART OF THE BRICK exhibit by artist Nathan Sawaya is…

The Birth of Christianity: A Jewish Story

In this thrilling exhibition, visitors explored the cultural, political and personal events that shaped Jerusalem and the surrounding region more…

The Body Code

Fly through the carotid artery; explore the eye, brain, ear, and heart. Then, shrink into a cell to see its…


The Cave Paintings of Lascaux

On September 12, 1940 in Dordogne, France, in the commune of Montignac, four boys—Marcel Ravidat, Jacques Marsal, Simon Coencas and…

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition

The Chronicles of Narnia has mesmerized generations of readers and millions of fans have raved about the blockbuster hit movies.…

The Chronophage Clock

Chronophage clock, Untitled (2015) John C. Taylor (1936--), Isle of Man Titanium, stainless steel, aluminum, gold, glass, enamel [from Gk.…


The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition

This exhibition documented the dramatic, near-fatal expedition to Antarctica led by Sir Ernest Shackleton in 1914.  After being trapped in…

The First Game: The Birth of Basketball

In 1891, Dr. James Naismith was asked to create a new game that was safer and more interesting than the…

The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes

Museum visitors will learn how Sherlock Holmes, a scientific expert ahead of his time, used seemingly trivial observations of clues…


The Living Genome: Reading The Book Of Life

Visitors examined the mysteries of life as scientific research cracked the code on DNA, genetics and the building blocks of…

The Lord Of The Rings Motion Picture Trilogy: The Exhibition

This touring exhibition was created by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa), who were granted exclusive rights…

The National Parks Photography Project

Honoring the important role that the visual image has played in the history and creation of America's national parks, this…


The Nature of Diamonds

Diamonds are some of the most beautiful and alluring treasures on the planet. From their birth deep in the earth…

The Nature of Pearls

Formed in the dark of mollusk shells, pearls glow with an inner radiance.  This spectacular exhibit featured the most comprehensive presentation…

The Zula Patrol: Mission Weather

The Zula Patrol, those intergalactic fact-gatherers, have been planet-hopping across the Solar System, and they've finally landed on Earth to…


Tibet: Treasures From The Roof Of The World

The 120 masterpieces included in this ground-breaking exhibition ranged from the 11th through the early 20th century.  These objects were…

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition

On April 15, 1912, Titanic, the world's largest ship, sank after colliding with an iceberg, claiming more than 1,500 lives…

Trains Over Texas

  All Aboard!  Create holiday memories by travelling across Texas by model railroad in this scratch built O-scale model. The…


Transcending Audubon

Rex Brasher’s Inspiration: Transcending Audubon features 29 framed works by artist Rex Brasher, a wildlife artist committed to painting all…

Treasures from Shanghai

Treasures from Shanghai: 5,000 Years of Chinese Art and Culture featured 77 sets of objects from the Neolithic period (circa…

Treasures in Gold & Jade

Treasures in Gold & Jade: Masterworks from Taiwan features works of incredible beauty and complexity by two of Taiwan’s premier…


TreeHouses

Explore our summer exhibit to uncover fascinating facts about who actually lives in trees, what kinds of animal clues to…

TreeHouses: Look Who’s Living In The Trees!

Explore our summer exhibit to uncover fascinating facts about who actually lives in trees, what kinds of animal clues to…

Tropical Odyssey

Immerse yourself in the story of rainforest conservation. More than half of all plant and animal species on earth live…


Vanishing Arts: Highlights from the Beasley-Hwang Collection

It's the culmination of decades of travel to exotic lands. An eclectic collection of unique artifacts acquired by Drs. Palmer…

Victoria: The T. rex

The world’s largest and most complete touring skeleton makes its way to the halls of HMNS! Houston, meet Victoria the…

Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga

This was not a tale of horn-helmeted marauders but of farmers and fisherman, husbands and wives, who managed to settle…


Voyages of Discovery

Naturalists’ journeys to distant lands have changed our view of the world.  This exhibition looked at some major British voyagers…

Warriors, Tombs and Temples

Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor, declared one of the top 10 museum exhibitions by TIME Magazine, set…

Wild Bees

  Wild bees are important pollinators of wildflowers, garden flowers and commercial crops, including fruit trees, berries, melons and garden…


Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

Founded in 1964 and organized by the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is one…

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is honored to again host the breathtaking beauty captured in Wildlife Photographer of the…

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 54

Now in its 54th installment, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcases the world's best nature photography and wildlife photojournalism…


Wildlife Photographer of the Year 55

Now in its 55th year, the world-renowned exhibition Wildlife Photographer of the Year returns to HMNS, featuring exceptional images which capture…

 

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