upcoming Exhibits
Looking for Beyond Combat: World War I Through the Lens of “Doc” Cook or The Lost World of Dragons? Visit our Current Exhibits page
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: PRESIDENT, EMANCIPATOR, CORPORATE PITCHMAN
JANUARY 20 – APRIL 27, 2025
Photo by: Universal Images Group via Getty Images
An immersive multi-sensory exhibition
The Durham Museum is honored to host an exhibition developed by Tactile Images in collaboration with the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Getty Images, the National Federation of the Blind and the Alliance for Inclusive Design and Experiences (AIDE) to bring a transformative tactile exhibition entitled Abraham Lincoln: President, Emancipator, Corporate Pitchman to our community. This partnership marks a significant milestone in enhancing accessibility, empowerment and inclusivity for individuals with diverse abilities.
Abraham Lincoln: President, Emancipator, Corporate Pitchman offers an innovative and immersive multi-sensory exploration of one of America’s most iconic figures. Through tactile displays and detailed imagery, the exhibition sheds light on Lincoln’s multifaceted roles – as a president who led the United States through the Civil War, an emancipator who took pivotal steps toward abolishing slavery and a corporate figure who, posthumously, became a symbol in modern advertising.
Visitors are invited to engage with Lincoln’s legacy in ways that appeal to both the senses and the intellect, with tactile images enhancing the experience for all audiences, including those who are blind or visually impaired. By merging history with contemporary cultural analysis, the exhibition encourages a critical look at how Lincoln’s image has been appropriated and commercialized over time.
The partnership with Tactile Images and NCBVI underscores The Durham’s commitment to accessibility and community enrichment. By hosting this traveling tactile exhibition, we are creating a more inclusive environment for individuals with diverse abilities, allowing them to explore, learn and engage with art, science, history and technology in new and exciting ways.
What is a “Tactile” image? A tactile image harnesses the senses of touch, sound and smell to help the blind and visually impaired community experience visual knowledge in a meaningful way. Having worked extensively with the blind community, Tactile Images’ patented technology allows the visually impaired to create accurate mental pictures of visual imagery without the need for a sighted companion.
About Tactile Images
Tactile Images, a subsidiary of 3DPhotoWorks LLC, is dedicated to breaking down barriers for blind and disabled individuals in a predominantly sighted world. Through innovative tactile printing techniques, the company provides transformative experiences for the visually impaired, offering tactile exploration of visual and graphic materials accompanied by braille text, audio narratives and scents. With a focus on accessibility, empowerment and inclusivity, Tactile Images is committed to making knowledge and experiences accessible to all.
About the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
NCBVI is dedicated to providing Nebraskans who are blind or visually impaired with the resources and support they need to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration with organizations like Tactile Images and The Durham Museum, NCBVI works to promote accessibility, empowerment, and inclusion for individuals with visual impairments across the state.
ANTARCTIC DINOSAURS
FEBRUARY 15 – MAY 4, 2025
Transport back in time and embark on a dramatic adventure to Antarctica to witness the latest discovery: dinosaurs!
While Antarctica is a frozen land of snow today, Antarctic Dinosaurs reveals the lush habitat it once was 200 million years ago and the unique animals that called it home. Visitors will learn about rare dinosaurs and the history of the continent with real fossils and engaging interactives.
The only exhibition of its kind to showcase holotypes of dinosaur fossils, Antarctic Dinosaurs immerses visitors in the thrilling hunt for never-before-seen fossils and sheds light on our planet’s ever-changing climate and geology. Come face-to-face with large-scale replicas of dinosaurs and explore touchable casts and interactive 3D models that bring Antarctica’s unique species to life. Then witness the persistent challenges and extreme conditions of expeditions to the “Lost Continent” to gain an understanding of the tough working conditions for scientists who rely on an arsenal of modern power tools to extract fossils from rock and bring these discoveries to light.
Exhibit Highlights:
- More than 60 fossils, full-scale replications, and touchable models
- Numerous mechanical and digital interactives, including “excavation” interactives
- Real and cast dinosaur skeletons, including Cryolophosaurus and Glacialisaurus
- Meteorite from Antarctica
Antarctic Dinosaurs was developed by the Field Museum, Chicago in partnership with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Discovery Place – Charlotte, NC, and the Natural History Museum of Utah. Generous support was provided by the Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund.
ANIMATION ACADEMY: From Pencils to Pixels®
May 31 – AUGUST 31, 2025
Step into your favorite Saturday-morning cartoons and explore the remarkable world of animation. Animation Academy is a captivating and immersive traveling exhibition that invites visitors of all ages to leap into the fascinating realm of the cartoon genre.
This unique showcase provides a rare in-person glimpse into the magic behind some of the most treasured animated films and characters, and offers a comprehensive exploration of the art, science, technology and history of animation.
See the world’s largest 3D zoetrope, strike a pose with Po from “Kung Fu Panda,” or meet Gumby, the beloved, green, clay humanoid and his sidekick Pokey. Relive timeless moments from classic Disney films, groundbreaking Pixar creations and the latest blockbusters, and look for original hand-drawn cels of real stop-motion maquettes throughout the exhibition’s many stations.
Animation Academy provides a captivating, educational journey into the heart of animation. Venture through the dynamic stages of the animation process, from concept and character creation to storyboarding, rendering and final production. Explore original storyboards, scripts and narrative techniques used in your favorite classic cartoons before putting your own stop-motion movie skills to the test!
Exhibit Highlights:
- The world’s largest 3D zoetrope
- 2D and 3D stop-motion interactives and tracing stations
- Animation university experience
- “The Simpsons” and photo ops
- Shrek KEVA castle interactive
- Magnetic storyboard, RFID animation process and spin browser interactives
- Chuck Jones Studio interactive
- Guest artist workshop experience
- Gumby workshop/studio interactive
- Exclusive 60-year history of Gumby timeline with original puppets
- Exclusive Clokey Studios original character puppets and dioramas
- Ray Harryhausen original Tortoise and the Hare set interactive
- Saturday-morning cartoons experience
- Original Shrek prototype maquettes
- Electronic watercolor wall interactive
- Chromakey social media station
Animation Academy: From Pencils to Pixels®, produced by Stage 9 Exhibits and distributed by Exhibits Development Group, provides BIG fun for all visitors.
HOCKEY: FASTER THAN EVER
OCTOBER 4, 2025 – JANUARY 11, 2026
The Durham Museum is ready to drop the puck on a highly interactive exhibition on the science, history and culture of one of the “coolest” sports in the world.
HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever takes visitors on an exciting journey through the evolution of ice hockey, showcasing the remarkable technical advancements and scientific breakthroughs that have shaped the sport over time. From cutting-edge technologies to the physics of play, the exhibition will leave guests amazed by the fusion of science and sport.
Visitors will test their skills and knowledge like true hockey pros with a variety of exciting interactives. Have lightning-fast reflexes? Put them to the test in “Don’t Blink” and see how many lights you can hit in one minute. Feel the adrenaline rush as you step up to “Need for Speed” and unleash your shot power – measure your slapshot speed and compete with your friends to see who has the fastest shot. Looking to finesse your aim? Hit the targets in “Score Like a Pro” and prove your precision with a puck. Then pay tribute to the pinnacle of hockey at “The Stanley Cup®” touchscreen, where you can get up close to the most coveted trophy in sports history.
Visitors can also snap a selfie with a real ice resurfacer and explore displays showcasing the evolution of skates and gear from the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibit also features an impressive locker room outfitted with jerseys and more from NHL star players.
HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever is a traveling exhibition produced and toured internationally by Flying Fish in collaboration with the Montréal Science Centre and supported by the ©NHL and the ©NHLPA.
ADMISSION
Adults: $15*
Seniors (62+): $12*
Military/Veteran: $12*
Children (ages 3 – 12): $8*
*PLUS TAX
Children 2 years and under FREE
Members: FREE!
BOOK YOUR TICKET »
Advance reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
Members, your free admission discount is applied near the end of the online registration process.
Visitor FAQs »
