New nature and science museum to open in Dallas

The current display in a space for traveling exhibits tells the tale of the museum's construction, and even includes the remnants of a Model T discovered as they prepared the site for construction.

The building is expected to attain three designations for environmental sustainability and features an acre of landscaped roof with native plants, a rainwater collection system and solar-powered hot water heating.

The museum's roots date back to 1936 with the establishment of the Dallas Museum of Natural History. In 2006 it merged with The Science Place and the Dallas Children's Museum to form the Museum of Nature & Science at Fair Park.

Small said that the museum will still have a presence at the Fair Park location just east of downtown but the new downtown museum will be the main visitor attraction.

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If You Go...

PEROT MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE: 2201 N. Field St., Dallas, Texas, www.perotmuseum.org , 214-428-5555. Museum opens Dec. 1. Opening weekend schedule: Saturday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular hours will be Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, noon-5 p.m. Adults, $15; children ages 2-11, $10; students ages 12-17 and seniors 65 and older, $10.