The Saint Louis Science Center’s collection includes more than 100,000 artifacts and specimens that individual collectors have amassed over the past 160 years. Many of these items have never been available for public viewing until today.
Inside the Vault, one of the most popular galleries at the Science Center, has been updated and now features six different collections. This marks the largest display of collection objects in the past 30 years.
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“The Inside the Vault gallery offers the Science Center an opportunity to share items from our collection that don’t necessarily fit into one of our current STEM displays and to showcase unique treasures that are rarely, and sometimes never, seen by our guests. They help to explain how the natural world, changing culture, and technological advancement contribute to scientific knowledge,” says Kistina Hampton, manager of collections at the Saint Louis Science Center.
The six themes, selected as guest favorites, include a paleoanthropology collection, exotic and rare birds, an international shoe collection, space artifacts, medical quackery devices and machines, and even items that were discovered beneath the streets of St. Louis in Cherokee Cave.
“It’s exciting to have the chance to present things that our members and guests truly want to see,” says Hampton.
She adds that there are “special treats” in each section that include a collection of fake health remedies and medical devices and artifacts that explore the connection between space and pop culture. The diversity in the collections will fascinate, while also providing a lot of scientific knowledge to guests.
“Because the Saint Louis Science Center offers free admission to everyone, guests can explore this gallery as long and as often as they wish—at no charge. The Inside the Vault gallery has become one of our guests’ favorite attractions to visit, and by updating the collections within the gallery, we hope this new installment will remain a favorite as we move forward. I think everyone can find something within these displays that piques their interest and teaches them something they may not have known before they visited,” Hampton says.
Guests can find the Inside the Vault Gallery in the tunnel that connects the main Oakland Avenue campus with the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. The gallery update opens to the public on Thursday, December 19. The Saint Louis Science Center is free and open Thursday through Mondays.
