For immediate release

Fernbank Museum to Celebrate 30th Anniversary on Oct. 5

Three decades of interactive educational exhibits lead the way for a future filled with infinite possibilities

Atlanta, GA; Sept. 27, 2022 – On Oct. 5, 2022, Fernbank Museum will celebrate its 30th anniversary as one of Atlanta’s most visited and top-rated cultural attractions.

Momentous occasions in the museum’s history have accented this milestone achievement, including the addition of the groundbreaking installation of two of the world’s largest dinosaurs in the “Giants of the Mesozoic” exhibit in 2001; the “Dinosaur Plaza” at the museum’s entrance in 2009; the grand opening of the revolutionary children’s exhibit, “NatureQuest,” in 2011; the 75-acre expansion to connect the museum and nature experiences through the creation of “WildWoods” and the restoration of Fernbank Forest in 2016; and the introduction of a multi-faceted STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) initiative in 2021, which included the launch of an onsite STEAM Lab and the “Fernbank on the Go” mobile museum.

The trajectory of continually reimagining and adding innovative experiences has allowed Fernbank to thrive through its mission to ignite a passion for science, nature and human culture through exploration and discovery.

“As we reflect on this milestone anniversary at Fernbank, we are proud of what we’ve been able to achieve in providing dynamic programming and experiences for nearly 12 million guests in these last three decades,” said Fernbank President and CEO Jennifer Grant Warner. “Yet, we are also very focused on the future and look ahead with great optimism as we believe that our mission has never been more relevant than it is today. We remain committed to providing memorable experiences that will spark curiosity about the world around us and our role in it, and we have some exciting things in store to help us achieve this.” 

Kicking off with the fundraising celebration, A Timeless Affair: Infinite Possibilities on Oct. 1, the 30-year anniversary will serve as a springboard for furthering the educational and fun exhibits, films, programming and other unique experiences that Fernbank offers.

The marquee special exhibition “Journey to Space” opens as part of Fernbank’s anniversary celebration week on Oct. 8. The exhibit reveals what it would be like to live, work and travel in space. “Journey to Space” immerses visitors in the science of space travel and includes interactive elements, such as opportunities to use water rockets, a drop tower and a robotic arm.

To highlight the launch of “Journey to Space,” Fernbank is also debuting a new film, “Astronaut: Ocean to Orbit” in the iconic Giant Screen Theater and is hosting a family friendly event, “Space Explorer Day” all on Oct. 8.

“Astronaut: Ocean to Orbit,” allows audiences to further explore the difficulties and dangers of space travel by following astronauts as they train underwater to prepare for launch, a gravity-free environment and space walks.  “Space Explorer Day” features science demonstrations, cosmic crafts and intergalactic exhibits leaning into the exploration of our solar system.

Throughout the year ahead, Fernbank will also present several other world-class special exhibits, including The Nature of Color (opening February 2023), The Survival of the Slowest (opening June 2023) and Vikings (opening October 2023).

Another announcement for a new milestone experience is planned for fall of 2022—stay tuned for more information.

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“Journey to Space” is presented by the Science Museum of Minnesota and the California Science Center with support from NASA, and with local presentation being made possible in part by Genuine Parts Company. Additional support is provided by Asbury Automotive Group, Atlanta Falcons, Delta Air Lines, Global Payments, The Loudermilk Family Foundation, Novelis and Romanoff Renovations. 

“Astronaut: Ocean to Orbit”is presented by MacGillivray Freeman Films and is an Oceanic Research Group production directed by Jonathan Bird.

Media Inquiries:

Jena Allison, Communications Manager
Jena.Allison@FernbankMuseum.org
404.929.6381

About Fernbank

Fernbank is one of the most popular and iconic cultural destinations in Atlanta. Known as Atlanta's Science and Nature Experience, Fernbank invites guests to discover a World of Wow through an expansive natural history museum, 4-story giant screen theater, and 75 acres of nature adventures in WildWoods and Fernbank Forest. One of the oldest not-for-profit conservation organizations in the country, Fernbank was founded in 1939 to preserve Fernbank Forest, the largest urban, old growth, Piedmont forest in the United States. The museum and giant screen theater opened as "a school in the woods for nature studies" on Oct. 5, 1992, and is today known for its giant dinosaurs, hands-on STEAM* programming, immersive experiences, and year-round nature exploration. Visit fernbankmuseum.org for more information and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

*Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.