South-side science nonprofit breaks ground on museum expansion

Last edited 10:12 a.m., Oct. 31, 2024 [Editor's note: Incorrect visitor data has been fixed.]

The Missouri Institute of Natural Science, which operates a science museum tucked in among scenic trees and hills in south Springfield, is in expansion mode.

Museum officials were joined by Greene County commissioners and other stakeholders for a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday afternoon. The project calls for the construction of a 2,500-square-foot expansion to the museum, located at 2327 W. Farm Road 190 near Rivercut Golf Course.

The 20-year-old nonprofit organization, which goes by MINS, operates as a natural history museum that houses a triceratops skeleton and other fossils, minerals, artifacts and modern biological samples. The campus also serves as the site of the Riverbluff Cave.

"This is a neat thing for us. It helps the museum really expand what we get to do," said Matt Forir, MINS director and board president, at the ceremony. "We're looking forward to being able to serve the community more efficiently."

The expansion, on the east side of the 5,000-square-foot museum, would add a multipurpose classroom space to better accommodate kids who visit the museum on field trips, said Forir. It also would add event space for the museum and additional square footage to house minerals, he said, noting the campus also has a 1,600-square-foot building next to the museum with storage and laboratory space. Work to add more parking is underway, as well.

Over 5,000 students visit the museum annually, officials say, from as far away as Kansas City and Arkansas. Total annual visits, on average, are in the range of 15,000 to 18,000, said Forir.

"We really do cover a large area," Forir said. "Space is a problem."

While the final construction price has not been finalized for the expansion, MINS has raised $125,000 to date for the campaign via grants, private contributions and board donations, said Samantha Forir, board member. Dedicated fundraising work has taken place over a roughly four-year period.

Matt Forir, who also works as a geologist for Greene County's Environmental Division, said he currently plans to serve as general contractor with the help of "a number of volunteers with specialties in many different trades." Boti Architects LLC is the project architect for the expansion slated for completion in spring or summer 2025, said Forir.