History
Housed within the walls of San Francisco’s landmark Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium is a museum of hundreds of interactive exhibits that let visitors investigate science, art, and human perception. The Exploratorium stands in the vanguard of the movement of the “museum as educational center.” It provides access to, and information about, science, nature, art, and technology.
This unique museum was founded in 1969 by noted physicist and educator Dr. Frank Oppenheimer, who was its Director until his death in 1985. From 1991 until 2005, the museum was led by renowned scientist and educator Dr. Goéry Delacôte. In May 2006, nationally-known science education and policy expert Dr. Dennis M. Bartels was named Executive Director.