MOSH offers look at interior designs of Northbank museum

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The Museum of Science & History’s Downtown Northbank museum will offer interactive experiences and activities that extend well beyond traditional static displays, MOSH officials said in a news release that provided renderings of the new facility.

MOSH released images of three of the 10 galleries planned in the museum, which is in design and preconstruction. The museum said it developed the galleries in collaboration with New York-based Ralph Appelbaum Associates, a museum exhibition design firm.

The galleries, as described in the release, are:

• The Nexus, a welcoming point that will include flexible event space for workshops, science presentations, social and corporate gatherings, and more.

• Superhuman, which focuses on the science of human and animal health, physicality and well-being.

The Superhuman display is one of 10 planned in the Museum of Science and History's Northbank museum. According to the museum, it will highlight the science of human and animal health, physicality and well-being.

• Nature & Culture, which explores the effects of nature on human culture and vice versa.

“We are building this museum from the ground up at the exact moment museums across the country are being transformed into dynamic experiences. The galleries and overall visitor experience envisioned by RAA represent a bold reimagining of what a museum can be: immersive environments where visitors explore ideas through storytelling, technology, and shared experience,” said Jill Davis, MOSH board chair, in the release.

The Museum of Science and History said the Nature & Culture display in its Northbank museum will explore the nexus between nature and human culture.

The museum is planned on three parcels totaling 8.68 acres of riverfront land south of VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena and VyStar Ballpark.

On March 18, the Downtown Investment Authority board approved a six-month extension on MOSH’s redevelopment agreement with the city to allow extra time for design work. The DIA vote came after Jacksonville City Council rejected a proposal by MOSH to reduce on-site parking, prompting changes in the design.

The Museum of Science and History released renderings of the interior design of its Northbank museum on March 24, including this image of its The Nexus display.

Design work now must be completed by Aug. 1. In addition, work must be substantially completed by Aug. 1, 2029, instead of Jan. 30, 2029.

MOSH closed its Southbank museum Sept. 1, 2025, as it raises funds for the new facility. In February, the city issued a permit for contractor ELEV8 Demolition of Jacksonville to raze the four-story, 83,299-square-foot MOSH building at 1025 Museum Circle at a project cost of $835,000.

On March 24, Jacksonville City Council approved legislation, Ordinance 2026-0147, authorizing the DIA to demolish the building. The vote was 17-0, with members Rory Diamond and Randy White not present.

Editor's note: This story was updated with the Council vote.