Executive Director, Adam Wade (left) and Director of Development, Amanda Tadajewski (right), survey the expansion area on the front lawn of Tellus

Tellus Science Museum is happy to announce an expansion project for two new exhibit spaces beginning in early 2024. The expansion will consist of a detached, nearly 20,000-square-foot building near the front of the museum campus, which will house a new permanent exhibit featuring the technology of smartphones and an expanded space for special, temporary exhibitions.

Executive Director Emeritus Jose Santamaria said they’ve been talking for years about the need to have these significant spaces at Tellus, and it is exciting that they will soon become a reality.

The new permanent exhibit space will comprise about 3,200 square feet. The gallery will allow guests to explore the evolution of technology, including things now considered “antiquated” because of the development of smartphones. Artifacts like calculators, cameras, record players, and more will be in the exhibit.

The museum will use the secondary space of around 7,500 square feet for larger, more dynamic temporary exhibit experiences for guests. The gallery is expected to change two or three times yearly and include many interactive aspects.

Executive Director Adam Wade says they celebrate the museum’s 15th anniversary this month and recognize that it’s time to bring something fresh and different. Tellus is kicking off its birthday celebration with a party on Saturday to revel in a fantastic 15 years of fun and family and announce its future growth plans.

Site preparation and construction has already begun. This new expansion should open in late 2025 to early 2026. Tellus does not expect an interruption of the current museum operation.

Tellus Science Museum is a program of Georgia Museums, Inc., which includes Booth Western Art Museum, Savoy Automobile Museum, and Bartow History Museum. Tellus, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a 120,000-square-foot science museum in Cartersville. For more information about Tellus Science Museum, call (770) 606-5700 or visit www.tellusmuseum.org or www.facebook.com/tellusmuseum.