Museum & Science Center > Programs & Events
Behind The Scenes Tours
A series of themed, behind the scenes tours to help you get a glimpse at our collections vaults.
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 annual 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+).
Please arrive promptly, as all tours will leave the lobby right at 6pm.
Upcoming Tours:
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Through the Veil
Tour Guide: Debbra Williams-Fernaays, Collections Manager
Tour Locations: Third Floor Apothecary, History Vault
Explore the rise of spiritualism in the region. Peer into the history behind the health and mourning practices of the 19th and early 20th century. Wonder at the dark beauty of the intricate wreaths and jewelry made in remembrance of loved ones. Gaze behind the veil of an era when death was as fashionable as life!
Please note these tours are 18+ due to subject matter. Content is for mature audiences. Tours will start promptly at 6pm and depart from the lobby.
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Keep on Creepin’ On
Tour Guide: Chelsea Vasquez, Registrar
Tour Locations: Expedition Earth, Conservation Lab
Explore Expedition Earth to learn about the prehistoric creatures that once dominated the seas covering the Rochester area. Adventure into the Conservation Lab to view fossils of these marine organisms and specimens of their relatives that creep around (and creep us out) today – including spiders, snakes, scorpions, and more!
Please note these tours are 18+ due to subject matter. Content is for mature audiences. Tours will start promptly at 6pm and depart from the lobby.
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Hodinöšyö:nih Continuity
Tour Guide: Kathryn Murano Santos, Senior Director, Collections and Exhibits
Tour Locations: Future Hodinöšyö:nih Continuity exhibit, Cultural Heritage Collection Vault
Catch a glimpse of our forthcoming exhibit, Hodinöšyö:nih Continuity, curated by Jamie Jacobs (Tonawanda Seneca Nation, Turtle Clan). Discover how the RMSC is moving toward “propatriation” by collaborating with contemporary Hodinöšyö:nih (Haudenosaunee) artists to build relationships and repair harm, highlighting ongoing Indigenous expression and creative resistance to oppression.
Please note these tours are 18+ due to subject matter. Content is for mature audiences. Tours will start promptly at 6pm and depart from the lobby.
Thursday, December 14, 2023
stuff it
Tour Guide: Elizabeth Pietrzykowski, Director of Collections
Tour Locations: Expedition Earth, Zoology Vault
Adventure behind the exhibits at the RMSC into our zoology vault and discover the world of museum taxidermy. Explore how taxidermists bring these animals back to “life” and how the museum cares for and displays them.
Please note these tours are 18+ due to subject matter. Content is for mature audiences. Tours will start promptly at 6pm and depart from the lobby.