As
you enter on the first floor, the first exhibit acquaints you with North
Carolina's Natural Treasures: 2,000-year-old trees-- the oldest east of
the Rocky Mountains-- more recorded salamander species than any other
state in the country, the second-oldest mountains, and the second-oldest
river in the world. North Carolina's diverse environments are also home
to 6,684-foot Mount Mitchell, the tallest peak east of the Mississippi
River, and the carnivorous plant, the Venus flytrap.
In this exhibit,
North Carolinians can begin to gain a sense of ownership and stewardship
by discovering what unique treasures lie in their own backyards. Visitors
from other areas can find out about the Southeast's amazing biodiversity.
The Auditorium is used as a multi-function space for live science programs, theater, and the Museum's original high definition film "Wilderness North Carolina", shown on a 22-foot HDTV screen that brings you closer than ever to Nature's most beautiful and fascinating spectacles.
Next,
step into the expansive Coastal North Carolina exhibit hall, two stories
high and half a block long. North Carolina's entire ocean spectrum is
here, from the Gulf Stream waters through the Sargasso Sea and Outer Banks
to the sounds and saltwater marshes. Floating above living examples and
dioramas of these ocean realms are the Museum's famous whale skeletons...
including Trouble, the sperm whale that washed ashore on Wrightsville
Beach in 1928 and has become a symbol of the Museum.
The
Museum Store, operated by Friends
of the Museum, offers a great assortment of nature and science related
books, videos and cassette tapes, gems and jewelry, natural science kits,
educational toys and more. The
Nature Gallery features original nature-themed art for sale.
From here, board the escalator to the second floor
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