Previously known as the New England Science Center, the museum features several permanent and traveling exhibits, the Alden Planetarium, a narrow-gauge train pulled by a scale model of an 1860s steam engine, and a variety of wildlife.

The final move took place in 1971 to a new building, designed by Edward Durell Stone, built on 60 acres (240,000 m2) of donated land.

[2] On June 13, 2011, the museum's polar bear, Kenda, was euthanized after developing kidney disease.

[3] Following the launch of its "Third Century Plan," the museum announced it would transform the area formerly occupied by Kenda into "Wildcat Station.

"[4] In June 2016, the museum began a $9.1 million "Third Century Plan" to fund improvements to its exhibits, programming, and infrastructure,[5] including adding two permanent exhibits, replacing its co-generation plant with a modern energy-efficient mechanical plant, and upgrading its Explorer Express Train.