Ever since the summer of 1994, I have volunteered at the Museum of Science—Boston. For these last 26 years, I have been there nearly every Saturday morning teaching our visitors about science. I’ve always enjoyed it; but then, the current situation hit. For the last four or five months—I’m not even sure now—-the building has been closed except for a small skeleton crew to take care of our live animals and rebuild exhibits for the new age.
Today, after all this time, the museum finally reopened to the public. It is not yet known when volunteers will be allowed back to work, but I visited today on my own little reconnaissance mission. Like most public places, there is now timed entry. After acquiring a ticket on-line for a 10:00 entry, per requirements, I grabbed my mask and drove down. I had heard a lot about the changes and new exhibits, but I looked forward to seeing how all the new systems and exhibits will work.
Visitor Safety and Wayfinding
Visitor safety starts with timed tickets that must be bought on-line before arrival. The website is very user friendly in this respect and it is easy to print or show the tickets on your smartphone. The current temporary exhibit, The Science Behind Pixar, is free with admission but a separate timed ticket is required.
Masks or face covering is required in all the exhibit halls and Pixar. There are also stations with hand sanitizer all around, along with signs reminding visitors to wash their hands or use sanitizer often. I found that everyone, visitors and staff alike, are following these requests perfectly.
All pathways in the building are clearly labeled either one way or two way, with easy to read signs and arrows. As for the elevators, these are in use as normal, but it is suggested that only one family group at a time use the elevator. It was slow enough today that none of this was an issue, but as time goes on I can see longer waits.
In addition, there is labeling at the entrances to each exhibit space reminding people to keep in mind social distancing, and within each space, there’s labeling at certain components requesting that only one family group at a time stand at that component.
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