The South Shore Natural Science Center

On Monday, January 2nd, the Ellett family visited the South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell, Massachusetts. We got free admission, thanks to the Museum Pass program at our local library. Available to anyone with a library card at a participating library the program gives free or discounted admission to local museums. Each library only has one pass, good for four admissions, available each day for each participating institution. To use them, especially on popular dates over vacation or in the summer you need to plan ahead and reserve early but they can make visiting cultural institutions more affordable for families on a budget.

The South Shore Natural Science Center is dedicated to the local wildlife and landscape. It includes a small museum set on a property mostly in its natural state with interpretive nature trails. We didn’t come prepared to explore the trails on a winter’s day but we enjoyed the museum exhibits on the ecosystem of the South Shore. The stars of the exhibits were the live animals that live in the displays—snakes, turtles, fish, frogs and an iguana named Spike. We also got to meet Hedwig the barred owl, who lives on the property as well. Except for Spike all are local species.

We had a good time on our visit. Maura enjoys nature and is always curious so she loves seeing animals close up. I enjoyed talking with the staff who clearly enjoy their jobs working with the animals and the visitors. We’ll make a point of going back in warmer weather to explore the grounds as well as the main building.

The South Shore Natural Science Center is more than a museum. It is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center and many of its residents are rescued animals that could not be re-released into the wild. It runs a nature oriented daycare and summer camp and hosts outings for other groups. Maura visited once before on an overnight outing with her Girl Scout troop.