Behind The Scenes Tours
*The event has already taken place on this date: Thu, 12/15/2022
Please help us keep this calendar up to date! If this activity is sold out, canceled, or otherwise needs alteration, email mindy@kidsoutandabout.com so we can update it immediately. If you have a question about the activity itself, please contact the organization administrator listed below.
Select Thursdays | 6-7:30pm
Like many museums, the majority of our collections are not on public display. As the steward of over 1.2 million objects, there are a lot of unique, interesting, and just plain odd objects within our collections vaults— and this is your chance to get a look at some of them!
We're offering 10 different, themed tours of our collections vaults. Each tour date, attendees can choose from one or more themes that interest them the most.
Each tour is led by one of our expert collections staff members and includes:
- A brief, guided tour through a public exhibit
- A tour through one of our eight collections vaults
- A final Q & A session with our collections staff
Tours are for adult audiences (18+).
UPCOMING TOURS:
THURSDAY, APRIL 14 | "STUFF IT" OR "BONE WARS"
Tour Title: Stuff It
Tour Guide: Elizabeth Pietrzykowski, Assistant Director of Collections and Registrar
Tour Locations: Expedition Earth exhibit, Zoology Vault
Adventure behind the exhibits at the RMSC Museum & Science Center to explore our zoology vault and discover the world of museum taxidermy. Discover how taxidermists bring these animals back to “life” and how a museum cares for and displays them.
During this tour, you'll see a variety of taxidermy specimens, including: Caribou, Muskox, Pangolin, Passenger Pigeons, Carolina Parakeet, and more.
Please note these tours are 18+ due to subject matter. Content is for mature audiences.
Tour Title: Bone Wars
Tour Guide: Debbra Williams-Fernaays, Collections Manager
Tour Locations: Expedition: Dinosaur exhibit, Expedition Earth exhibit, History Vault
Have you heard of the Bone Wars? Also known as the "Great Dinosaur Rush," the Bone Wars was a period of intense, ruthlessly competitive fossil hunting and discovery during the Gilded Age of American history! Join us to discover the all of the double-dealing and dirty tricks that ushered in the era of modern Paleontology.
During this tour, you'll see a variety of collection objects, including: Mastodon bones, Mastodon skull, various fossil specimens, and more.
Please note these tours are 18+ due to subject matter. Content is for mature audiences.
THURSDAY, JUNE 16 | "NATURE'S JEWELS" OR "THIS TOUR IS LIT"
Tour Title: Nature's Jewels
Tour Guide: Elizabeth Pietrzykowski, Assistant Director of Collections and Registrar
Tour Locations: Expedition Earth exhibit, Zoology Vault
Dive into a world of vibrant color as you explore the insect collection at the RMSC Museum & Science Center. Discover how butterfly wings reflect light and how color, or the lack of it, can mean different things for an insect’s survival.
During this tour, you'll see a variety of insect specimens, including: butterflies, moths, beetles, and more.
Please note these tours are 18+ due to subject matter. Content is for mature audiences.
Tour Title: This Tour Is Lit
Tour Guide: Debbra Williams-Fernaays, Collections Manager
Tour Locations: Rochester in 1838: Young Lion of the West exhibit, History Vault
This tour is gonna be lit... lit-erally! Explore the history behind unique and beautiful lighting tools and appliances from the RMSC Museum & Science Center collections. Marvel at everything from the brilliant colors of Tiffany lamps, to the detailed workmanship of lanterns and chandeliers.
During this tour, you'll see a variety of collection objects, including: Gas lamps, lampshades, stained glass lamps, oil lamps, and more.
Please note these tours are 18+ due to subject matter. Content is for mature audiences.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18 | "CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE"
Tour Title: Choose Your Own Adventure
Tour Guide: Elizabeth Pietrzykowski, Assistant Director of Collections and Registrar, OR Debbra Williams-Fernaays, Collections Manager
Tour Locations: Dependent on attendees interests
We're bringing back everyone's childhood favorite game with a "Choose Your Own Adventure" tour! During this unique and one-of-a-kind tour, YOU will choose what exhibits and collection objects you want to see and learn more about. Your tour guides will simply ask you the question: Would you like to see this, or that?
During the tour, you can choose to view: Natural science specimens, textiles, technology collections, military paraphenalia, art, and more.
Attendees will be separated into two tour groups. We will do our best to ensure individuals attending together are sorted into the same group. To help ensure you are paired with those you're attending with, we recommend purchasing the tickets together. Please call 585.271.4320 with any questions or concerns.
Please note these tours are 18+ due to subject matter. Content is for mature audiences.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 | "STUFF IT: SPOOKY EDITION" OR "MEMENTO MORI"
Tour Title: Stuff It: Spooky Edition
Tour Guide: Elizabeth Pietrzykowski, Assistant Director of Collections and Registrar
Tour Locations: Expedition Earth exhibit, Zoology vault
Adventure behind the exhibits at the RMSC Museum & Science Center to explore the spooky side of our zoology vault and museum taxidermy. Discover how taxidermists bring these animals back to “life” and how a museum cares for and displays them. Take a look at some of the creepy, taboo, or just plain scary taxidermy specimens.
During this tour, you'll see a variety of taxidermy specimens, including: Bats, crows, ravens, owls, skeletal specimens, arachnids, bugs, animal mummies, and more.
Please note these tours are 18+ due to subject matter. Content is for mature audiences.
Tour Title: Memento Mori
Tour Guide: Debbra Williams-Fernaays, Collections Manager
Tour Locations: The Old Rochester Apothocary exhibit, History Vault
Explore the spine-tingling history behind health and mourning practices in the United States. Observe objects created to remember loved ones, like intricate wreaths and jewelry made from human hair, and learn more about the sentimental side of death and mourning practices.
During this tour, you'll see a variety of collection objects, including: Victorian-era hair jewelry and wreaths, death portraits, apothecary tonics and treatments, phrenology heads, and more.
Please note these tours are 18+ due to subject matter. Content is for mature audiences.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15 | "CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE"
Tour Title: Choose Your Own Adventure
Tour Guide: Elizabeth Pietrzykowski, Assistant Director of Collections and Registrar, OR Debbra Williams-Fernaays, Collections Manager
Tour Locations: Dependent on attendees interests
We're bringing back everyone's childhood favorite game with a "Choose Your Own Adventure" tour! During this unique and one-of-a-kind tour, YOU will choose what exhibits and collection objects you want to see and learn more about. Your tour guides will simply ask you the question: Would you like to see this, or that?
During the tour, you can choose to view: Natural science specimens, textiles, technology collections, military paraphenalia, art, and more.
Attendees will be separated into two tour groups. We will do our best to ensure individuals attending together are sorted into the same group. To help ensure you are paired with those you're attending with, we recommend purchasing the tickets together. Please call 585.271.4320 with any questions or concerns.
Please note these tours are 18+ due to subject matter. Content is for mature audiences.
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.