Rochester Museum & Science Center

This museum is more than just science descriptions and stationary exhibits. At Rochester’s Museum and Science Center you get to play with science. You can shoot laser beams, take a trip into outer space, make your own robot, and dig up science like an archaeologist. There’s so much to do here that you might have to take two trips to see and do everything.

The RMSC (Rochester Museum & Science Center) ignites a passion for lifelong learning and equips our community with the foundational skills, knowledge, and understanding of the technologies needed to help solve society’s most pressing challenges. The RMSC includes three locations, the RMSC Museum & Science Center, the RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium, and the RMSC Cumming Nature Center.
Established in 1912 as the Municipal Museum in Rochester, New York, the Rochester Museum & Science Center has constantly expanded and evolved to meet the changing needs of our community.

A Brief History of the RMSC

1912: Established at Exposition Park (later Edgerton Park) as the Municipal Museum of Rochester, New York, the Rochester Museum & Science Center expands and evolves to meet the changing needs of our community
1925: The Municipal Museum Commission becomes a City department.
1930: The institution changes its name to the Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences.
1941: The cornerstone for an expanded Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences is laid on East Avenue with the donation of land and funding from Edward Bausch.
1968: The most advanced planetarium in the world at the time opens as a gift from Edwin and Clara Strasenburgh of Rochester, and Monroe County becomes principal supporter. Our name officially changes to the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC).
1969: The transition of financial support from the City of Rochester to Monroe County.
1973: The Cumming Nature Center (CNC) officially opens to the public with a regular schedule of programs; in 1977, CNC was designated a National Environmental Study Area by the US Department of the Interior after meeting their high standards.
1973-1974: RMSC upgrades physical facilities by constructing the Gannett School classroom building for lifelong learning (1973) and the Eisenhart Auditorium (1974).
1976: The RMSC Preschool opens on the RMSC’s Rochester campus.
1982: The visitor’s building, funded in part by the Kresge Foundation grant, opens at Cumming Nature Center.
2001: Genesee Community Charter School opens on the RMSC campus.
2018: With a lead gift from John and Barbara Bruning, the Planetarium is renovated with digital visualization technology and modifications to the theater, lobby, and restrooms.
2018: Hillary Olson becomes the President & CEO
2020: Closed from March 13 through June 27 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the closure, RMSC provided online educational content. Reopened in June 2020.
2020/2021: Enormous growth in Cumming Nature Center programs - particularly outdoor Forest School programs and Cross-Country Skiing lessons and rentals. Installation of an elevator in the Nature Center building to increase accessibility.

Rochester Museum & Science Center
657 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607-2177

To find out more, visit the website