WORCESTER – The energy in the air was electric on Saturday, March 7, as visitors gathered in the lobby of the EcoTarium, eager to witness the unveiling of two major additions: a new wing that expands the venue’s exhibit capacity and a groundbreaking exhibit titledThe Secret Lives of Elephants. This exhibit, sourced from the Museum of Natural History in New York, was planned long before the space was even constructed.
For 2-year-old Ezra Katz, the highlight of the day was simply seeing the elephants. He sat high on his father David’s arm, his eyes wide with anticipation.
“His mom bought the tickets. He’s been talking about the elephants all week,” said Katz. The Holden family was among the first to line up for the new exhibit. “This is his favorite place in Worcester.”
The newly added 10,000-square-foot exhibit hall, known as a black box exhibit space by architect Steven Gerrard of Annum Architects, pays homage to the New Formalist style of the original architect Edward Durell Stone, who also designed Radio City Music Hall and other iconic venues, including one in Washington, D.C., that was recently renamed.
“It brings me great joy to see the space used by children and adults,” Gerrard said. He explained that the term “black box” refers to the fact that the space is fully equipped with all necessary wiring and hookups for large-scale exhibits.
Gerrard emphasized that this space will serve as a future home for exhibits tailored to people of all ages. He pointed out that the current display offers hands-on activities for children and scientific information for adults.
Katie Chappell, deputy director of the EcoTarium, highlighted the large elephant figure at the center of the space. Projectors illuminated the form, displaying images of its skeleton, musculature, and internal workings.
“Sure, there’s poop. Children want to know about the poop,” Chappell said, noting that the exhibit includes educational content for caregivers to use when discussing nature, ecology, and conservation with their children. “(The exhibit) appeals to both.”
Children were invited to touch certain displays, play interactive games featuring videos of elephants lounging in water holes, rolling in mud, and cuddling with each other.
“Does rolling in mud prevent sunburn?” is asked on one screen. (That’s a yes!)
Luke Dawson, 4, of Franklin, was so determined to see the woolly mammoth replica that he climbed onto the railing to get a closer look. He grabbed a large tusk displayed with the mammoth.
“He’s so excited,” said Sandy Dawson, who was at the EcoTarium with Luke and her two other sons. “Luke’s an animal lover and always wants to come when the exhibit features an animal.”
The organization secured the exhibit while it was still in concept form, unsure whether the space would be funded and completed in time to welcome the elephants. The EcoTarium is the third venue to display the elephants; it was first shown in Manhattan, traveled to Denver, and will be at the EcoTarium through Labor Day.
The space was named the Stoddard Exhibition Hall and sits atop the original building. It was named after Robert Stoddard, president and chairman of the board of Wyman-Gordan Co. for more than 40 years, a longtime trustee of the Worcester Art Museum, and former chair of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette Board of Directors. He passed away in 1984.
“This means a great deal to me,” said one of his surviving daughters, Judy King, who called the expansion effort a “longtime dream.” She shared that her father was interested in wildlife and had gone on safari in Africa but never shot an elephant.
Barbara Meriolloi, King’s neighbor, attended the grand opening as a guest of honor. She has loved elephants since she was 4, when she saw them at the Benson Wild Animal Farm in New Hampshire with her family.
“There was an elephant there. I fell in love with it,” Meriolloi said, adding that she acquired a stuffed orange elephant at the gift shop following the visit, a possession she still treasures.
Volunteers played a key role in making the day special for everyone. Astrid Mejia and Ofelia Pena, both 16, handed out elephant hats in the lobby. They gave one to Frankie Arioli, 1, who seemed less interested in the elephants than her older brother, Sam.
After short speeches by local dignitaries, Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury, pointed out that as the second-largest New England city, Worcester deserves the new exhibit venue at the EcoTarium.
“We’ve waited for years to bring a top-quality exhibit space to Worcester,” Moore said.
