Museum of Life and Science

The Museum of Life and Science is a nonprofit science and nature museum set on an 84-acre campus in Durham, North Carolina. Founded in 1946, the museum has grown into a regional institution that combines a two-story science center, an AZA-accredited zoo with more than 60 live animal species — including black bears, lemurs, and Red Wolves — and one of the East Coast's largest butterfly conservatories. The Aerospace wing houses one of North Carolina's largest collections of Apollo-era NASA artifacts. For private events, the museum opens its distinctive spaces for after-hours gatherings of up to 180 guests, as well as daytime meetings. Couples can hold ceremonies in the Butterfly House Conservatory, on the two-acre Hideaway Woods nature playscape, or under the Special Events Tent and Lawn. Receptions take place in gallery spaces including the South Gallery, Aerospace hall, and Mercury Meeting Room. All rentals include a dedicated venue coordinator, complimentary WiFi, on-site parking, tables and chairs with staff setup and breakdown, and access to an exclusive roster of caterers and bartenders.