The Florida Museum of Natural History recently announced that its construction project has been restored to its original scope and funding levels. This will change the museum’s public exhibition gallery’s closure to March 24, 2025.

The expansion will include the construction of a new, two-story building on the west side of Powell Hall. This nearly 6,000-square-foot addition will host educational spaces, offices and the University of Florida’s Thompson Earth Systems Institute. The projected reopening is 2026.

In September, the museum originally slated its closure for Jan. 6, 2025.

“We greatly appreciate the current University of Florida administration for generously reinstating the expansion’s funding, enabling us to achieve our original vision and build this additional space,” said Florida Museum director Douglas S. Jones in a press release. “We are excited to welcome visitors further into spring, staying open longer for the community to enjoy.”

UF leadership restored the project’s budget to $30 million, a $10 million increase.

Along with the new wing, the extensive front expansion will now proceed as initially planned, which includes an updated modern façade, upgraded outdoor picnic table areas, state-of-the-art exhibition and learning spaces, and a larger collector’s shop.

The permanent exhibits, which include the “Butterfly Rainforest,” will be open through March 23. The featured exhibit gallery space remains under renovation. A new traveling exhibit will be hosted at the museum after construction is completed.

The Florida Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The expansion is designed by Ennead Architects of New York, New York, and the general contractor is Scorpio Construction of Gainesville, Florida.

For more information about the project, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/visit/expansion.