Imagination Station Science & History Museum
Use your curiosity to explore how the world around us works. Imagination Station is hands-on science museum with loads of exhibits, live reptiles and more!
The Imagination Station is home to several permanent and changing exhibition spaces. Each exhibit is designed to highlight specific topics in science, technology, and history. Here’s what you can explore:
Hidden No More: Shedding Light on Science Stories in the Shadows lets you explore the science of light to find out why we see different colors, where rainbows come from, adn how color tells us about objects in space. Discover the stories of scientists whose work helps us understand our colorful universe.
Science on a Sphere® (SOS) is a room sized, global display system that uses computers and video projectors to display planetary data onto a six foot diameter sphere, analogous to a giant animated globe. You can pick from hundreds of topics to display on SOS at the Control Center kiosk.
Body-ology is an exhibit designed to move you. Try a snowboard machine, climb the rock wall, race the wild, and more. Be sure to wear your tennis shoes.
In the Observation Hive you will see honey bees in action. Watch as the worker bees buzz around the hive while the forager bees bring in nectar and pollen. If you look carefully you will even see the queen.
Become an architect in the Keva Plank Studio. Build bridges and skyscrapers or a replica of the Roman Colosseum using only the blocks in the room.
Explore other biomes in our Herpeterium where reptiles from different parts of the world live. How do native species compare to snakes from the jungle or tortoises from the dessert?
The Journey to Wilson helps you imagine how people lived on this land before the internet, highways, and television. The first people who lived here left only pottery shards, tool fragments, and oral traditions. The explorers who came next brought their friends and family who began building the communities we live in today. The rumbling railroad helped new towns and profitable industries grow. From silent moccasins to rhythmic trains, the of story of how Wilson grew is an adventurous one.
Hours from Memorial Day to Labor Day
(End of May to Start of September)
Tuesday-Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturdays 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Hours from Labor Day to Memorial Day
(Start of September to End of May)
Thursday-Friday 10:00am-4:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm
Reservations for field trips and groups of ten or more are available Tuesday-Friday.
Group Programs
Imagination Station is closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Admission Pricing
Imagination Station Members always get FREE admission! Join Now
General Admission $6.00
Children 2 years and under FREE
Imagination Station is a participating member of the Museums for All initiative. Free or reduced admission for those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits). Maximum of 4 people per group during each visit.
Others who receive free or reduced admission:
Barton College students & staff, Wilson Community College students & staff, Wilson County School teachers, Military families (active & veteran), Seniors age 60+
ASTC Passports are accepted for eligible partner museums. See a complete listing here.
Proper ID required for all discounts.
What to wear & know
- Athletic shoes are a must for Racing the Cheetah and climbing walls
How to get here
The Imagination Station Science & History Museum is located in the heart of historic downtown Wilson, North Carolina. If you are using GPS, please be sure to include the zip code 27893 when entering our address, 224 Nash Street SE.
Where to park
There is free public parking located behind the museum on Douglas Street. Street parking is also available on surrounding streets in 2-hour increments Monday – Saturday and unlimited on Sundays. Parking Downtown Area
Buses can unload students beside the museum on Douglas Street. Bus parking is located at 406 Barnes Street (2 blocks from the museum) in public parking lot #16, along the train track side of the lot. After unloading students, drive to the first intersection and turn left on Barnes Street. Parking lot #16 is 2 blocks down Barnes Street on the left hand side of the street. Lot16 bus parking.
Accessible parking is located in the parking lot directly behind the museum. There is a loading/unloading zone in front of the museum on Nash Street, next to an accessible ramp and entrance. If you would like assistance or more details about accessibility, please call us at (252) 291-5113.
Where to eat
If you are bringing your lunch, we have a small area in the lobby where individuals can eat. Groups of more than 8 people can reserve the courtroom in advance. Please call (252) 291-5113.
There are great places to eat around downtown. Find more shopping and dining locations at Historicdowntownwilson.com.
More to do
Be sure to visit the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, the American Center for Photographers, and the Wilson Arts Center while you are here.
If you are looking for more to do around Wilson, learn about upcoming events and attractions at ComeSeeWilson.com.
