The Schiele Museum of Natural History, the excellent museum at 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, North Carolina, is probably familiar to many kids, who visit it for school field trips. If your child hasn’t visited it yet (or if they have!) it’s more than worth the short trek to Gastonia.
Read on to see some pictures of the outdoor exhibits, and a list of all exhibits, as well as information on the Museum’s Free Tuesdays.
Free Tuesday
The Schiele Museum is free to visit the second Tuesday of each month in 2024, from 4 to 8 p.m.
It is not necessary to reserve tickets.
Here’s the schedule for 2024:
- January 9
- February 13
- March 12
- April 9
- May 14
- June 11
- July 9
- August 13
- September 10
- October 8
- November 12
- December 10
Duke Energy funds the Free Tuesday program.
Power Up Learning by Duke Energy is a series of interactive learning experiences for the whole family, led by Schiele educators. These special programs will be presented quarterly during Free Tuesdays. To ensure seats, you can reserve tickets in advance. Program tickets can be reserved one week prior to each program date and can only be reserved online. Power Up Learning programs are presented at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium.
Power Up Learning by Duke Energy has replaced free planetarium shows in 2024 and 2025.
2024 Power Up Learning programs:
- March 12 – Animal Adaptations
- June 11 – Weather
- September 10 – Getting the Dirt on Soil
- December 10 – Life of a Catawba Indian
*Topics are subject to change.
Outdoors at the Schiele Museum
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
Admission to The Schiele Museum
- Adults (18+): $7
- Youth (4-17): $6
- Children (3 and under): Free
- Schiele members: Free
Permanent Indoor Galleries
Hall of North Carolina Natural History
Have you ever seen a harbor seal, a teal, a heron, an egret or a coot? These artistically crafted dioramas depict the inhabitants and terrain of the North Carolina coastline, coastal plains, hills, Piedmont and mountain regions in their incredible diversity.
Hall of North American Habitats
Experiencing the beauty and detail of the Hall of North American Habitats is like being transported to the middle of the continent’s most dynamic terrain. Your eyes will lead your imagination to the wonders of our ocean floors, the Everglades, the Sonoran Desert and the mighty Alaskan tundra. Children and adults alike will leave with an appreciation for the majesty and diversity of life in our North American homeland.
James H. Lynn Planetarium & Science Theater
Featuring a fully digital projection system that surrounds the audience with a domed, 360-degree screen, the planetarium can do more than simply recreate the night sky. It immerses the viewer in a journey through the universe! More than just a place for space, the Science Theater’s unique environment has featured programs in every discipline – from history to biology – and hosts live concerts, lectures, and even weddings. Planetarium shows are open to the public daily. Check schielemuseum.org for showtimes.
Hall of North American Wildlife
Get toe to claw, nose to gill, finger to stinger and eye to shank with wildlife at its finest. These dioramas give you true perspective on the size and scope of North America’s bears, bison, moose and elk along with its other mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians.
Henry Hall of the American Indian
Can you name the five major regions of North America? Do you remember the major tribal groups that so richly affected European settlers in the new world and colonies? Not to worry if you’ve forgotten a few details because The Schiele Museum can bring you an unforgettable collection of artifacts, weapons, ornaments, tools, and housing that will remind you of the beautiful culture of the North American Native American.
Permanent Outdoor Exhibits
Nature Trail
All within a 0.7 mile trek, you’ll experience a pine forest, mixed hardwood forest, and pond and stream communities typical of the North Carolina Piedmont. On the trail for all seasons, every day is a good day for a walk. The PlayScape provides a good play area for kids along the trail.
Memorial Wildlife Garden
In this wildlife oasis, you can take advantage of the contemplative setting by escaping the rat race and settling into an environment authentically designed to provide food and shelter for the Carolina Piedmont’s native species.
Catawba Indian Village
Open seasonally, this interpretation of 400 years of Catawba Indian culture, adaptation, and survival is a must see for visitors interested our region’s rich heritage. Visit a prehistoric bark-covered house, council house and log cabins. Please call 704.866.6908 to verify that the village is open.
Stone Age Heritage Site
Travel back in time when the stone tools our ancestors used were the cutting edge of technology. Walk among the standing stones, stone circles, earthen burial mound, rock cairn and petroglyphs that give insightful glimpses into our past.
The Farm
This outdoor experience for visitors explores the natural, ever-changing relationships between people, plants, and animals on farms across the history of our region. Goats, chickens and piglets all call The Farm home.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
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Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia
1500 E Garrison Blvd
Gastonia, NC