MOSH (Museum of Science & History), Jacksonville

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(MOSH) Museum of Science & History

The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) is a must-see destination in Downtown Jacksonville for both children and adults. Located right next to the enormous Friendship Fountain and adjacent to both the Southbank Riverwalk and a water taxi stop, touring the museum is a great way to spend a few hours during the heat of the day. The museum's feature exhibits are very well thought out and elaborately constructed.

"Atlantic Tails" uses skeletons, hands-on activities, and interactive life-size replicas to teach about the whales, dolphins, and manatees that inhabit the waters in and around Jacksonville. It even includes a life-size replica of a right whale sculpted into the wall!

The Bryan Gooding Planetarium showcasesthe nightime skies over Jacksonville and projects other special shows. Next to the planetarium, exhibits showcase astronaut suits and rocks from space.

Perhaps the most ingeniously designed entrance is the one leading to "The Body Within." Visitors walk through the open mouth of a very detailed giant human head. The exhibit itself is a bit disgusting but educational as it walks visitors through the human body.

"Currents of Time" is a fascinating walk through the amazingly rich history of Jacksonville and the First Coast. Using well-designed sets, facades and diaramas featuring models, films, photographs, and tons of artifacts, the exhibit takes visitors from the early days of the Timacuan Indians and European conquets; the establishment, burning, and rebuilding of Jacksonville; and the impacts of World Wars, segregation, popular culture and other influences on Jacksonville daily life.

Permanent animal exhibits include aquariums with large catfish and sunfish found in the St. Johns River, baby alligators, tortoises, frogs, snakes, and even owls. There is also an interactive exhibit on the role of water in the lives of humans and animals, a shell exhibit, and even a signature skeleton of an allosaurus.

Throughout the year, MOSH also features various nationally touring exhibits for weeks at a time. On my most recent visit, the museum had "Savage Ancient Seas" an impressive collection of "sea monster" skeletons, including some of the ones featured in these photos.