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Public Hours

Tuesdays–Saturdays, 10am to 5pm.
Groups are welcome to book reservations. Please fill out the form on this page to arrange a group visit or contact Sam Eubanks, sam.eubanks@naturalsciences.org for more information.
Keep an eye on our events calendar and our Facebook page for special events happening at NCMNS Contentnea Creek.

Location

  • 949 Contentnea Lane
  • Grifton, NC 28530
  • Directions

Connect

atimeforscience.org
252.364.2862
Facebook.com/atimeforscience
@atimeforscience on Instagram
@atimeforscience on Twitter

Through an innovative partnership between the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and A Time for Science, the Museum established two new branches in Pitt County: Greenville and Contentnea Creek.

NC Museum of Natural Sciences at Contentnea Creek, located in eastern North Carolina, provides astronomy education, environmental education and outdoor recreation for adults, children and families across North Carolina. Our field trip programs offer students a chance to move through the trails in the forest or travel through the planets of the solar system in the planetarium.

The Museum's Contentnea Creek location features 380 acres of Bray Hollow Conservancy lands in southern Pitt County. The new Nancy and John Bray Environmental Education and Visitor's Center is now open. The 6,000-square-foot facility features exhibits, restrooms and a canteen. We offer regular kayaking, 5Ks and trail runs, and nature classes, as well as astronomy programs at the on-site Chia-yu Li Planetarium and the Kitty and Max Joyner Observatory.

FIELD TRIPS

We feature four distinct habitats that are ideally suited to enhance the fundamentals of environmental science in a controlled setting. Our field trips are correlated to the NC Essential Standards and to the Next Generation Science Standards according to grade level and subject area using academically based curriculum materials. Please fill out the form on this page to arrange a group visit or contact Sam Eubanks, sam.eubanks@naturalsciences.org for more information.

EXPLORE

The lands around NCMNS Contentnea Creek encompass four distinct habitats: stream, forest, swamp and ponds. Each habitat is home to a variety of wildlife. So, tread lightly as you walk the trails; you never know what fascinating creatures you might come across.

THE NIGHT SKY

Contentnea Creek has dark skies and is an excellent place to do some stargazing. You can see the Milky Way! NCMNS Contentnea Creek also features a digital planetarium and public observatory. We can currently host private groups of up to 50 people. Even if it's cloudy out you can explore the wonders of the night sky in the planetarium. Please email Brian Baker, brian.baker@naturalsciences.org for more information.

NATURE

NCMNS Contentnea Creek provides environmental education and outdoor recreation to the children, adults and families of North Carolina. Enjoy your time in nature by hiking the trails, kayaking down the creek or by having a picnic and letting the kids unwind at the Nature Playscape. We offer primitive camping by prior arrangement. Please email sam.eubanks@naturalsciences.org for more information.