Perot Museum Announces Reopening – With Health Protocols

June 18, 2020June 18, 2020 Staff Report 1 Comment

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science will reopen next month – but if you want to go, you’ll need to plan ahead.

The museum will reopen Thursday, July 9, with new public-health protocols and ticketing procedures in place. Guests are encouraged to purchase timed-entry tickets online and in advance at the museum’s website. Tickets will go on sale July 1.

State and local regulations will mean that some areas of the museum will be temporarily closed, including the Moody Family Children’s Museum, along with a number of interactive activities.

Closures will be regularly reevaluated based on the lifting or reinstatement of CDC, state and local guidelines, so the museum recommends checking its website and social media accounts for the most recent list of closures.

As part of general admission, guests will have an opportunity to view Origins: Fossils from the Cradle of Humankind. Origins explores two extremely rare ancient human relatives – Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi – named by National Geographic and Smithsonian Magazine as top discoveries of the last decade. While the original fossils were removed during the museum’s closure for preservation and safekeeping, identical, 3-D casts have been created in their place.

“We are excited to reopen the Perot Museum but want guests to understand their experience may be somewhat modified, due to the state guidelines,” said Dr. Linda Silver, Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer. “While a few areas and exhibits aren’t currently available, rest assured there are five floors overflowing with a variety of opportunities for discovery, including the Origins exhibition at no additional cost.”

Procedures in place include:

TICKETING. The Museum will use timed entry for guests to accommodate the state-mandated requirements regarding occupancy. Guests are strongly encouraged to purchase advance online tickets, which will guarantee their entry time and allow them easy access using the self-scanning entrance. Guests must arrive within an hour of their designated times. Only groups of 10 or less will be allowed to purchase tickets.
CONTACTLESS ENTRY. The Museum has established contactless ticket/phone scanners along with specific pathways for entering and exiting the building and the lobby. Physically abled guests will be directed to take escalators and stairs, since state guidelines limit the number of guests (including those with strollers) on elevators.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS. Guests should not visit the museum if sick. Guests ages 3 and older will be required to wear masks or some form of covering over their nose and mouth. Social distancing of at least 6 feet (or the average length of one velociraptor!) will be reinforced through abundant signage and staff encouragement (does not apply to families or groups that come together).
Regular hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer is recommended. Restrooms have been modified with hands-free door devices and plentiful paper towels. (Hand dryers will be disabled.)
SAFETY MEASURES. Hand-sanitizing stations have tripled and will be easily accessible at key points in the museum. Digital and onsite signage will replace printed brochures. Highly visible, professional cleaning teams will use medical-grade Clorox 360 materials to disinfect exhibit halls, main spaces and restrooms throughout the day.
EMPLOYEE/VOLUNTEER/VENDOR SAFETY. All employees, volunteers and vendors will be required to wear face masks and have daily temperature checks upon entering the building. Prior to reopening, staff and volunteers will undergo extensive training regarding safety, public health and operational measures.
MEMBERS. Museum members will have special pre-opening access from July 6-8, along with member-only hours Saturdays 9-10 a.m. and Sundays 10-11 a.m. All currently active memberships have been extended for the four months that the Museum was closed. Membership starts at $95 for two adults and $130 for a family (with children 2-17).
HOURS. General hours of operation for the Perot Museum are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Member-only hours will be offered Saturdays 9-10 a.m. and Sundays 10-11 a.m.
TICKETS. Beginning July 1, timed-entry tickets may be purchased online and in advance at perotmuseum.org. While online ticket purchase is strongly recommended, a limited number of tickets will be sold on-site, based on availability. Guests can purchase tickets on-site through limited self-service digital options, and a concierge will be available for special circumstances. NOTE: Tickets purchased on-site may sell out or entry time might be delayed, and guests will be required to wait outdoors until their entry time.

Museum general admission, which includes complimentary entry into Origins: Fossils from the Cradle of Humankind, is $20 for adults (13-64), $13 for youth (2-12) and $18 for seniors (65+). Museum general admission is free for members. Children under 2 are always free.

In addition, the museum’s Community Partners program provides $1 general admission to families enrolled in state or federally funded supplemental programs. Eligible military, first responders and educators also receive free admission. Additionally, free admission is available to members of partner museums, including the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the McKinney Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. For discount details, learn more at perotmuseum.org.