The Schiele Museum of Natural History, the excellent museum at 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. in Gastonia, is probably familiar to many kids, who visit it for school field trips. If your child hasn’t visited it yet (or if they have!) it’s more than worth the short trek to Gastonia.
Read on to see some pictures of the outdoor exhibits, and a list of all exhibits, as well as information on the Museum’s free afternoons.
Please reserve tickets in advance, as there is limited space at the museum.
New: Alpacas at The Farm
The newest additions to The Farm are alpacas! Make your reservations to visit. It’s only $3 to visit The Farm!
Free Afternoon
The Schiele Museum is free to visit the second Tuesday of each month and the fourth Friday of each month. In addition, once a quarter the free Tuesday and Friday includes a free planetarium show.
You must make reservations, both for general admission and the planetarium shows. They can fill up quickly, especially the planetarium shows.
Make your reservation here. Make sure to choose “Afternoon” General Admission.
Here’s the schedule for the rest of 2021:
April
- Free Friday: April 23rd (includes planetarium show)
May
- Free Tuesday: May 11th
- Free Friday: May 28th
June
- Free Tuesday: June 8th
- Free Friday: June 25th
July
- Free Tuesday: July 13th (includes planetarium show)
- Free Friday: July 23rd (includes planetarium show)
August
- Free Tuesday: August 10th
- Free Friday: August 27th
September
- Free Tuesday: September 14th
- Free Friday: September 24th
October
- Free Tuesday: October 12th (includes planetarium show)
- Free Friday: October 22nd (includes planetarium show)
November
- Free Tuesday: November 9th
- Free Friday: November 26th
December
- Free Tuesday: December 14th
Outdoors at the Schiele Museum
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake. In addition, we can not guarantee that all events adhere to the safety measures that are necessary at this time, so we encourage you to ask any questions of the organizer, to make your best decision, and to stay safe.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
Admission to The Schiele Museum
- Adults (18+): $7
- Youth (4-17): $6
- Children (3 and under): Free
- Schiele members: Free
Permanent Indoor Galleries
Hall of North Carolina Natural History
Have you ever seen a harbor seal, a teal, a heron, an egret or a coot? These artistically crafted dioramas depict the inhabitants and terrain of the North Carolina coastline, coastal plains, hills, Piedmont and mountain regions in their incredible diversity.
Hall of North American Habitats
Experiencing the beauty and detail of the Hall of North American Habitats is like being transported to the middle of the continent’s most dynamic terrain. Your eyes will lead your imagination to the wonders of our ocean floors, the Everglades, the Sonoran Desert and the mighty Alaskan tundra. Children and adults alike will leave with an appreciation for the majesty and diversity of life in our North American homeland.
Robinson Featured Exhibit Gallery
Creepy Nature is designed to share the actual science of weird and unusual plants and animals. This exhibit features horror fiction concepts like vampires, zombies, mummies, and alien invaders! Discover the truth behind these mythologies as you follow the expedition of our hero through undersea perils, mysterious jungles, forbidding swamps, and an abandoned mine. What lurks in these environments is stranger than fiction – it’s Creepy Nature!
Hall of North American Wildlife
Get toe to claw, nose to gill, finger to stinger and eye to shank with wildlife at its finest. These dioramas give you true perspective on the size and scope of North America’s bears, bison, moose and elk along with its other mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians.
Henry Hall of the American Indian
Can you name the five major regions of North America? Do you remember the major tribal groups that so richly affected European settlers in the new world and colonies? Not to worry if you’ve forgotten a few details because The Schiele Museum can bring you an unforgettable collection of artifacts, weapons, ornaments, tools, and housing that will remind you of the beautiful culture of the North American Native American.
Permanent Outdoor Exhibits
Nature Trail
All within a 0.7 mile trek, you’ll experience a pine forest, mixed hardwood forest, and pond and stream communities typical of the North Carolina Piedmont. On the trail for all seasons, every day is a good day for a walk. The PlayScape provides a good play area for kids along the trail.
Memorial Wildlife Garden
In this wildlife oasis, you can take advantage of the contemplative setting by escaping the rat race and settling into an environment authentically designed to provide food and shelter for the Carolina Piedmont’s native species.
Catawba Indian Village
Open seasonally, this interpretation of 400 years of Catawba Indian culture, adaptation, and survival is a must see for visitors interested our region’s rich heritage. Visit a prehistoric bark-covered house, council house and log cabins. Please call 704.866.6908 to verify that the village is open.
Stone Age Heritage Site
Travel back in time when the stone tools our ancestors used were the cutting edge of technology. Walk among the standing stones, stone circles, earthen burial mound, rock cairn and petroglyphs that give insightful glimpses into our past.
The Farm
This outdoor experience for visitors explores the natural, ever-changing relationships between people, plants, and animals on farms across the history of our region. Goats, chickens and piglets all call The Farm home.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake. In addition, we can not guarantee that all events adhere to the safety measures that are necessary at this time, so we encourage you to ask any questions of the organizer, to make your best decision, and to stay safe.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
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