CARTERSVILLE, GA.- Tellus Science Museum announced 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 exhibits.

“We’ve been talking for years about the need to have these important spaces at Tellus,” said Executive Director Emeritus, Jose Santamaria. “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 give guests the chance 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 displayed as part of the exhibit.

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

“One of our main goals with the expansion is to bring about change more frequently at Tellus, and to achieve that, we plan to have a larger space dedicated to changing exhibits,” said Executive Director, Adam Wade. “We are celebrating the museum’s 15th anniversary this month, and we recognize that it’s time to bring in something fresh and different. We are kicking off our birthday celebration with a party to revel in an awesome 15 years of fun and family, but also announcing our future plans for growth.”

Site preparation and construction has already begun. This new expansion is expected to open in late 2025 to early 2026. No interruption of current museum operation is expected.

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 located in Cartersville, just north of Atlanta.