History
The Discovery Museum first opened its doors in 1996 in a small strip mall in Santa Maria. In 2004, the museum completed a capital campaign, renovated a space in an historic commercial building in the heart of downtown, installed hands-on learning exhibits for children and opened its new doors to the community in January of 2005. This 13,000 square foot facility now has over 25 exhibit areas. Our museum exhibits are expanded and supplemented for the visitor through our weekly enrichment and education programming. Our Tuesday Tales, Preschool Patrol, Passport Thursday, Fit Friday, Science Saturday, and Sunday Funday programs grew so much in popularity over the past two years, we added a second afternoon session so that more families could participate. These much-beloved programs are now offered at 11:00 and 2:30, six days a week.
Specialties
Our mission is to foster family and youth inspired learning by creating experiences to explore ourselves, our valley, our world, and beyond. The museum's exhibit and program-based 'please touch' atmosphere engenders the best in self-discovery as children and adults wonder together, getting into the spirit of learning.