'; Changing Lives and Inspiring Learning Through Science and Wonder.
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1975: The Opening

Our institution opened its doors in 1975 as the Creative Museum for Youth, founded by the Service League of Hickory (a local volunteer organization) in the historic John Cilley house, a 4,000 sq. ft. Victorian-era structure.

In 1978, the name was changed to the Catawba Science Center (after Catawba County) to reflect a mission of science education for a broader spectrum of the public. Staffed initially by volunteers, the Museum provided visitors with a variety of small exhibits and activities in science and art.

The Early 80's: A New Facility

With growing attendance and increasingly cramped quarters, the Board determined that the Museum should move to a new and more adequate site. The Hickory community (population 25,000 in 1980s) came together to support the development of a new facility, not only for CSC, but for the primary cultural organizations in the area. By 1986, a community coalition had identified the old Hickory High School as an appropriate facility for renovation and raised the $3 million needed to complete the structure.

Catawba Science Center (CSC) moved into the space in April of 1986 with several other cultural organizations: the Hickory Museum of Art, the Catawba County Council for the Arts (offices), the Western Piedmont Symphony (offices and rehearsal area), and the Hickory Choral Society.

As a result of this achievement and the vigor of the Hickory community, the city won an All-American City Award from the National Chamber of Commerce in 1986.

CSC began by hosting the Structures hands-on traveling exhibition on building, having community volunteers build copies of interactive science exhibits from the Exploratorium, and borrowing some exhibits from the Historical Society to fill space until new exhibits were developed. CSC soon developed its own interactive science exhibits and began to host three traveling exhibitions per year.

Today: The Millholland Planetarium & Aquarium

Today, Catawba Science Center is a 35,000 sq. ft. science technology museum whose purpose is to change lives and inspire learning through science and wonder.

PlanetariumThe Millholland Planetarium is a state-of-the art digital planetarium theater, offers a variety of immersive programs including full-dome video, traditional star talks and laser light shows in a variety of music genres.

 

AquariumSaltwater and freshwater aquarium galleries feature a large shark & stingray touch pool, a Coastal Carolina touch pool and Expedition Amazon, a collection of rare fish, turtles, snakes, birds and other species found in the Amazon River Basin and other Central and South American freshwater habitats.

 

2023-2024 Board of Directors

David Leonetti

President
City of Hickory

Dirk Schoellner

Vice President
US Conec

Amanda Freeland

Secretary
Service League Representative

Todd Rhyne

Treasurer & Past President
Corning Optical Communications

Bradley Dunlap

Shurtape

Cassia Dowdy

Design Foundry

Doug Knight

Lenoir Rhyne University

Greg Billings

Catawba Valley Health Systems

Greg Huffman

Patrick, Harper & Dixon, LLP

Jarred Blanton

David E. Looper & Company

Jason Gscheidmeier

Vistage Chair

Jennifer Leonard

US Conec

Kelly Goodman

Martin Starnes & Associates

Victoria Morales

Centro Latino

Questions? Contact our  Office Staff at info@catawbascience.org  or 828.322.8169 x. 0

Meredith C.

What a wonderful place to visit! Great environment to learn and the staff is very helpful! Hickory is lucky to have great family education and entertainment.

– Meredith C.

Tiffany F.

We love the Science Center! I take my 2 and 4 year old boys weekly to play and enjoy the exhibits. The staff are wonderful and the classes offered are excellent! We are so blessed to have such an amazing resource in our area.

– Tiffany F.

Denise G.

Fabulous and I don’t often give praise. We took our grandson and were there for hours. He loved it and so did we.

– Denise G.

Larry W.

Took the kiddos and they loved it. Employees were nice and helpful. If your looking for something to do with the kids give this place a shot.

-Larry W.

Sam H.

This place was great. We have kids from 8 to 1 and they all had a great time. What I really liked is most of the exhibits are hands on and that really kept them occupied.

– Sam H.

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NC Science Fest SEMC ASTC
Catawba Science Center
243 Third Avenue NE
PO Box 2431
Hickory, NC 28603
Phone: (828) 322 8169
Fax: (828) 322 1585
©2019 Catawba Science Center
Site design by: SEMC
Catawba Science Center, located in Hickory, provides fun for all ages, and is within a short drive from Morganton, Statesville, Lenoir, Lincolnton, and Western NC.