1975:

The Service League, a local nonprofit organization driven by charity, public service, and educational goals, founded and opened The Creative Museum for Youth at the historic John Cilley House, a 4,000 sq. ft. Victorian-era structure.

1978:

 The name was changed to Catawba Science Center (CSC) to reflect the mission of science education and the county it served. Initially staffed by volunteers, the Museum provided visitors with a variety of small exhibits and activities in science and art.

1985:

Catawba Science Center was briefly housed at the Valley Hills Mall during the transition to the new building.

1986:

CSC relocated to a new facility alongside other cultural organizations. The unoccupied historic Hickory High School was repurposed as the Arts & Science Center.

1987:

The Catawba Science Center held its first fundraiser called the Italian Dinner. The Annual Dinner & Auction, as it is now known today, continues to be the largest fundraising event organized and coordinated by the CSC Guild.

1989:

The first Summer Fun Science Camps were held, offering science experiences throughout the Summer. Now this program begins registration in March and totals 13 weeks of engaging hands-on science for rising PreK-9th graders.

1990:

The original Endowment was created to help support the growing needs of CSC. These are still growing today thanks to the continued support of our community.

1995:

Preschool programs were added in response to the growing importance of early childhood education. Now CSC is a premier educational destination for Field Trips serving approximately 50,000 students each year across 27 counties in western NC, and hosts Homeschool classes monthly during the school year for children in PreK-12th grades. CSC educators have created many programs, touching on numerous science topics, encouraging investigation, and increasing interest in topics that naturally attract young learners.

1996:

The first iteration of the Dinosaurs! exhibit opened. Returning many times since then, nine new animatronic Dinos were added in 2022. This exhibit returns to Carpenter Hall in early 2026!

1998:

The Legacy Society was established to recognize generous donors of $5,000 or more through planned giving to one of CSC’s endowments. As a nonprofit organization, CSC relies on the generosity of our community to fulfill our mission to change lives and inspire learning through science and wonder.

2002:

The first iteration of the FlutterBy Butterfly Habitat opened in the Outdoor Science Courtyard. This exhibit returns every three years to align with milestones in childhood development and is a local favorite. This exhibit will return in Spring 2028!

2006:

CSC programs expanded into the West Wing Building, providing the ability to accommodate a larger number of children for Summer Camps. Now houses classrooms for Field Trips, Birthday Parties, and Scout Programs! 

2007:

Renovations for the Millholland Planetarium and Aquarium building began on an old high school on the North side of campus.

2008:

The new addition officially opened, housing a 65-seat planetarium with a 35 ft dome, fresh and saltwater galleries, a special events space, a gift shop, office spaces, and an exhibits workshop. The Aquarium & Planetarium building was a major enhancement to the museum and continues to be a draw for visitors.

2023:

Land to Sea opened in the Edgerton Gallery, featuring reptiles, including tortoises, an American alligator, and the Herpetarium, which houses program animals.

2024:

Expanding Horizons opened in the Hall of Astronomy, featuring the planets in our solar system, how we see into the vast space using light and telescope technology, plus a Mars Pod showcasing what it might be like to live on Mars.

A New Facility

A 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 the 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 with several other cultural organizations: the Hickory Museum of Art, Arts Culture Catawba (offices), the Western Piedmont Symphony (offices, box office, 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 that year.

CSC began by building the structures for hands-on traveling exhibitions, 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 traveling exhibitions.

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.

The 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.

The Saltwater aquarium gallery features a large shark & stingray touch pool and a Coastal Carolina pool. 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.

Looking to join our team? Click below to apply today!

Have a question? Click below to view the Staff Directory!