University of Minnesota begins construction on new museum facility in St. Paul

The university is moving the Bell Museum from its Minneapolis campus.

After more than 75 years on the University of Minnesota’s Minneapolis campus, the Bell Museum of Natural History is moving to the other Twin City.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that construction has begun on a new $79.2 million complex that will be a gateway to the university’s St. Paul campus.

Renamed the Bell Museum + Planetarium, the new facility will have a 120-seat domed planetarium/theater, expanded galleries, interactive exhibitions, traditional dioramas and the latest technology. It is scheduled to open in summer 2018.

Basic construction and landscaping will cost $64.2 million, which has already been raised. The Legislature provided $51.5 million, the university contributed $6.7 million, and private sources donated $6 million.

Museum officials also are seeking an additional $15 million for program support, endowment, technology upgrades and completing an additional 1,500 square feet of temporary exhibition galleries.

The university says the new museum facility will enable it to boost the number of visitors from 45,000 a year to 105,000 a year; increase access and opportunities for underserved communities; create an intergenerational gathering space for lifelong learning; and provide a portal to university research.

The architect is Perkins + Will.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy has been writing about education for American School & University since 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.

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