About Us

Mission

The Niagara Science Museum (NSM) is a sanctuary for the preservation and appreciation of old science instruments and philosophical apparatus.

In May 2011 Niagara Science Museum was incorporated as an educational corporation by the Board of Regents of New York Sate University. This is increasing the scope of our mission and our museum will engage in suporting original scientific research in specific topics, sponsor and organise educational and cultural activities.

The Museum was formally opened in May, 2009 with an exhibition by Dr. Reinhard Reitzenstein and Dr. Gary Nickard entitled "Wonder Rooms".

Media noticed Niagara Science Museum:

2009, Buffalo News: Niagara Science Museum .

2009, Niagara Gazette: Looking for a formula in North End

2010, Niagara Gazette: Labor of Love

2010, Niagara Gazette: Checking the Wattage

2011, Niagara Gazette: Class at the Museum

In 2010 and 2011 we "observed", togehter with many other small museums Obscura Day.See: Obscura Day Video and Obscura Day 2011

A shoking surprise: Niagara Science Museum made the Listverse list: Top 10 Museums for Geeks

NSM is located in the original 1910 NationalCarbon Co. Inc. office building, in Niagara Falls, NY, two miles from the Falls. The abandoned Union Carbide plants are still in the background of the museum. In the early 1900's, the area was bursting with industrial activity that was fueled by cheap hydroelectric power, by easy access to raw materials, and by the availability of unlimited process water.

After almost a century of prosperity and growth in the area, decline set in. The patents expired and much less expensive graphite could be produced elsewhere. Equally important, large amounts of pollutants were being generated that contaminated the local environment. These factors contributed to the loss of major industries in the area.

In 1984, a disastrous accident at a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India, also greatly affected National Carbon, then a subsidiary of Union Carbide.

Admission and Hours

Museum Hours: Monday - Sunday 11am to 5pm From Mid April until late October.
The museum is open all year “by appointment”. However, at present we reorganise
some of the laboratories, and prepare the second floor for opening in spring 2012.
….we will be closed for a few weeks.