History

August 2007
The new Connecticut Science Center reached another important milestone as construction crews hoisted the final steel beams to top off the building’s signature Magic Carpet roof. 

April 2007
Three level parking garage is completed and steel begins to rise from the site.

December 2006
Exhibits at 100% design completion and construction of the third level parking garage underway

August 2006
Center has less than $10 million left to raise towards its $150 million Capital Campaign

August 2006
Milestone: A $1 million pledge from the Pitney Bowes Literacy and Education Fund draws the project to within $10 million of its $150 million campaign goal.

January 2006
Construction begins on the Center with site excavation.

October 2005
The Center hosts its Groundbreaking Ceremony at its new site along the Connecticut River at Adriaen’s Landing in Hartford.

June 2005
The GE Foundation Institute for Inquiry, a professional development program for science teachers throughout Connecticut, is officially launched and will serve over 100 teachers annually from all four corners of the state.

April 2005
The Center announces the selection of Thinc Design and Jeff Kennedy Associates as exhibit designers, and Whiting-Turner as the construction manager for its building.

December 2004
The Board of Trustees approves the Master Plan for the Center, mapping out the programs and operations of the Center. The plan was created by the Center's staff, committees, and museum planning consultants, White Oak Associates.

September 2004
After a public competition among international architects, the Center announces the appointment of Cesar Pelli & Associates as the architect for the Center.

April 2004
The Program Committee, chaired by Yale University President
Dr. Richard Levin and comprised of science, education, and community leaders, submits its Concept Plan for the mission, vision and programming of the Center to the Board of Trustees for approval. The Board approves the Concept Plan and a fundraising plan, and appoints committees to advance the project.

December 2003
The founding Board of Trustees is assembled, chaired by Pfizer Inc Chairman & CEO Dr. Henry McKinnell. The Trustees pledge $2 million in seed funding to launch the organization, matched by State funds. Dr. Theodore S. Sergi is appointed President and CEO of the organization. The Connecticut State Bond Commission allocates
$92 million to the construction of the Center.

September 2001
The Connecticut Science Center (formerly named Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration) is founded as a non-profit organization to build a state-of-the-art science learning destination in Hartford.