Media Contact: Sarah Wheat | swheat@discoveryplace.org

ROCKINGHAM, NC (March 12, 2024) – Discovery Place Kids – Rockingham will reopen its doors to the public on Saturday, April 13, following extensive renovations that began in January of this year. The renovated space features new and expanded exhibits highlighting local industry in and around Rockingham, NC. 

“After 11 years as part of the Rockingham community and serving more than 300,000 guests, we are thrilled to start the next chapter for Discovery Place Kids – Rockingham,” said Catherine Wilson Horne, President & CEO of Discovery Place. “We look forward to welcoming the next generation of young learners with these significant improvements while providing a destination for visitors to the Rockingham area.” 

“One of the things we’re most excited to share following these renovations is that we were able to “age up” the Museum experience with exhibits designed for older elementary and young middle school students,” said Discovery Place Chief Learning Officer Dr. Nikole (Nikki) L. Hill. “Our Members and repeat guests will also discover spaces offering new hands-on learning opportunities on a rotating basis.” 

New exhibits at Discovery Place Kids – Rockingham include a climbing structure spanning two levels and four new science research stations: 

• Nature – activities include building a bug and using binoculars to find animals in a forest 
• Astronomy – featuring satellite communications, a telescope and rocket launcher 
• Weather – complete with rain clouds and a lightning pole 
• Underground – exploration includes a dirt dig, matching animals with their correct underground home and a soil magnification 

In addition to new exhibits, some of the Museum’s “greatest hits” have been upgraded, including the Gizmotron, which is now set in a quarry, a new racetrack in Speed Shop and the canoe at the tree house has been replaced with an interactive kayak rowing experience. 

As a sign of support and thanks to its community, Discovery Place Kids – Rockingham is also pleased to announce new ticket pricing for Richmond County residents as part of the Museum’s reopening. Pricing information is as follows: 

• $8 General Admission 
• $6 Richmond County residents 
• $3 Welcome Admission 
• Free for Members and children under one 

Museum hours: 

• Closed Monday 
• Tuesday – Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 
• Sunday, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. 

Funding for the renovations was provided by The Community Foundation of Richmond County, The Cole Foundation, Richmond County Tourism Development Authority, the City of Rockingham and Richmond County. Discovery Place Kids – Rockingham values its partnership with these foundations and municipalities, which have been avid supporters of the Museum since its opening in 2013. 

About Discovery Place 
Discovery Place brings science, nature, and design together to create transformative experiences that enable the community to understand, enjoy and apply science to their lives. Discovery Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and leader in STEM education to the Carolinas through four distinct museum experiences—Discovery Place Science, Discovery Place Nature, Discovery Place Kids Huntersville and Discovery Place Kids Rockingham. Discovery Place serves over 750,000 people a year—through Museum visitations, interactive educational programming, professional development training and community outreach initiatives—shaping a future where people embrace science to create opportunities, build hope, solve problems and bring positive change for our world. In 2017, Discovery Place was named as a finalist for the National Medal by the Institute for Museum and Library Science. Discovery Place is supported, in part, by the Infusion Fund and its generous donors.