GO! SEE! EXPLORE! :: MoSH (Museum of Science and History)
MoSH, or the Memphis Museum of Science & History, is located in the heart of midtown. Many in Memphis will probably affectionately call MoSH the Pink Palace. But MoSH is more than just the Pink Palace mansion. It also incorporates the Lichterman Nature Center, both the historic Mallory-Neely and Magevney houses, and the Coon Creek Science Center on the campus of the University of Memphis.
“Wildlife wonderlands, planetarium shows, giant screen movies, historic houses, the Pink Palace Mansion, and worlds more await you at MoSH.”
MoSH Central
The Pink Palace mansion is located right off of Central Avenue. A popular destination for school groups and homeschool tours, the museum features many permanent and visiting collections. But in addition to the exhibits, MoSH central also houses a planetarium and a large Giant Screen movie theatre.
There’s literally something for everyone at MoSH Central when it comes to science and history! There are artifacts on the lower level, where you can discover what animals look like in their skeleton form. There’s a section dedicated to space, an animatronic dinosaur, and a room with native Tennessee animals on display. Keep going and you’ll find yourself immersed in geology, where MoSH boasts quite a large collection of gems, minerals, and other various rock types. There’s usually a volunteer docent there as well, letting tiny fingers touch and hold various minerals.
Also on the main level, past the gift store (we’ll get to that!), is The AutoZone Dome at the Sharpe Planetarium. Experience the wonders of constellations, planets, black holes, and space travel. Learn about meteors and their impact on Earth. The newly updated Planetarium immerses you in a new level of sight, sound, and comfort. The dome is 50 feet in diameter and reaches 32.5 feet high. The screen area is 3,925 square feet, making it the largest projection screen in Memphis! Click here for times and show choices.
The lower level is where you’ll find the Giant Screen Theatre! Offering 2D and 3D movies, you’ll explore the deep sea, international destinations, and “larger than life” encounters with animals of all sizes. In addition to the more education/documentary type movies, the Giant Screen Theatre also offers showings of past classic movies such as Caddyshack and the original Star Wars trio. Click here to purchase tickets and see the scheduled showings.
Go up the main staircase or take the escalators to the second level. Here you’ll find the Pink Palace Mansion. Decades ago this mansion belonged to a local millionaire, but now it has become part of this iconic museum. In the Pink Palace Mansion section of MoSH, you’ll find the history of Memphis and the Mid-South. From the Piggly Wiggly Store replica, Clyde Parke Miniature Circus, Cossitt Room, and other crowd pleasers, the Pink Palace Mansion treats visitors to wall-to-wall stories of our music, culture, race, and travel. Click here to learn more about these specific collections.
Once you’ve done exploring all the permanent collections, head back to the main area at the top of the second floor stairs. Here you’ll find where the visiting exhibits are displayed. During the holidays, you’ll find the annual Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees and Santa visits. Other times of year, you can find amazing traveling displays. Currently, MoSH is showcasing Overcoming Hateful Things: Stories from the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery. This interactive exhibit explores the Jim Crow system, the African American experience through the Jim Crow era, and the legacies of this system in modern society. Overcoming Hateful Things will cultivate understanding and empathy for victims of racial intolerance throughout history to the modern day and allow visitors to bear witness to the need to guard against the dehumanizing characterizations of others so they do not become further culturally entrenched.
From Aunt Jemima advertisements to children’s games, American popular culture was — and in many cases, still is — replete with racist images. The exhibition contains over 150 items from the late 19th century to the present. In addition to items from popular and commercial culture, the exhibit contains images of violence against African Americans and the Civil Rights activists struggling for racial equality.
**This exhibit is recommended for children 12 and up. If you have a child that you are unsure will be able to fully understand and appreciate this exhibit and the materials it discusses, see this visitor’s guide before going.
More Things to Know!
The MoSH offerings most families are excited for are their educational day camps. Tailored for kids who are into STEM learning, these camps are interactive and FUN! Each week is typically a different theme and are offered over Spring Break, Summer Break, and occasionally Fall Break.
Click here for everything you need to know about CAMPS at MoSH — from general questions to how to register, it’s all there!
Before you leave MoSH, don’t forget to check out their gift store. It’s literally one of my favorite places to go shopping for holiday presents or birthday gifts. They have educational games, art projects, animal and dinosaur characters, and jewelry. For adults, they offer locally made crafts, handmade pottery from Belltower and unique artwork!
MoSH doesn’t have a cafe, although they do offer an area near the gift store for families to enjoy food and drinks they’ve brought from home (but no food/drinks upstairs or in the downstairs exhibits). There’s also picnic tables and grassy areas outside if the weather’s nice for a fun picnic. Grab a drink or snack too from the gift store if you’re heading into the theatre to enjoy a movie!
MoSH Pink Palace Museum & Mansion
3050 Central Ave.
Memphis, TN 38111
901-636-2362
Check out moshmemphis.com for more information about all MoSH has to offer!
The unique learning environment at Lausanne Collegiate School includes small class sizes as well as inspiring and supportive faculty. Lausanne is located at 1381 W. Massey Rd, 38120. Learn more about what sets academics at Lausanne apart or call (901) 474-1000 to schedule a tour.
