Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination

Embark on a daring voyage into the depths of human imagination at the Harvard Museum of Natural History’s new exhibition, Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination. Featuring ancient mariners' maps, literature, works of art, and natural history specimens, this exhibit explores the allure of serpents, krakens, and other monsters of the deep. Peer into the minds of scholars from centuries past, and study sea creatures whose real lives are often more astonishing than the fantastical beings we might have imagined. Dive into the ocean of human consciousness, where dreams and fears entwine with reality, offering profound insights into our world and ourselves. Join us in unraveling the mysteries of the deep sea and the human psyche, where sea monsters—both real and imagined—beckon us to explore the unknown.

Harvard Museum of Natural History

Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic

In this exhibition, the art collective TRES invites us to share their 2016 journey to document, collect, and photograph debris along the beaches of Australia. Evoking archaeology, marine biology, and cartography, their images summon us to more deeply engage with the natural vistas and objects they have encountered, and to examine and interpret them with fresh perspectives. TRES transports us with photographs of glowing orbs that resemble celestial spheres more than the bottle caps they once were. Making their way as garbage to Australia from as far away as China, these objects have been scarred by Bryozoa, tiny micro-organisms which can be seen in the display case in this exhibition. Now, plastic items such as these lay scattered about the otherwise pristine-appearing landscapes. The rhythmic flow of images challenges us to make sense of the terrain. With hand-drawn maps and charts, TRES attempts to bring order to a perplexing world, where plastic objects resemble organic ones, and “natural” landscapes bear unmistakable traces of human-made pollution.

Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

Shamanism: The Timeless Religion

Speaker: Manvir Singh, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, University of California, Davis What is shamanism and why has it endured across cultures and centuries? In this talk, anthropologist Manvir Singh will explore the origins and future of the world’s oldest spiritual tradition. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in Indonesia, as well as trips to locations as varied as Colombia, India, and Burning Man, Singh explains what makes shamanism so psychologically resonant and why it will always re-emerge, including in industrialized, Western societies. This talk offers a fascinating look at spirituality, belief, and the mind, drawn from Singh’s new book Shamanism: The Timeless Religion (Knopf, 2025). Books will be available for purchase and signing following the program.

Geological Lecture Hall 

Virtual Egypt: 3D Teaching with Museum Collections

Advance registration recommended for <a href="https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JC5Ia7vaT46ac5i9fdVdZA">online</a> and <a href="https://forms.office.com/r/zSZEiciYBr">in-person</a> attendance Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA Speaker: Rita Lucarelli, Associate Professor of Egyptology, Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures; Faculty Curator of Egyptology, Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley University museums hold rich yet often underutilized resources for teaching about ancient Egypt. With the growing availability of 3D and virtual reality technologies—such as photogrammetry, 3D scanning, and immersive modeling—educators now have powerful tools to enhance object-based learning beyond the traditional classroom. In this lecture, Rita Lucarelli will explore innovative strategies for incorporating 3D and VR technologies into teaching with university collections, using case studies from the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley. She will demonstrate how digital replicas, immersive applications, and collaborative projects can deepen student engagement with Egyptian material culture, from archaeological context to artifact function and curatorial interpretation. The presentation also considers the benefits and challenges of integrating these technologies into Egyptology and Art History curricula. Free admission. Free event parking at<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/52+Oxford+St,+Cambridge,+MA+02138/@42.3801643,-71.1153065,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e37740b4804b09:0x1ca7c4a4324b1694!8m2!3d42.3801643!4d-71.1153065!16s%2Fg%2F11c2133ff1"> the 52 Oxford Street Garage</a> starting at 4:00 pm. Presented by the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Harvard Museums of Science and Culture.

Geological Lecture Hall

¡Celebremos Puerto Rico!

Celebrate Puerto Rico’s rich culture and natural wonders at the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture! Join us for a fun-filled day with hands-on art making and storytelling led by Puerto Rican artist and director Pedro Adorno Irizarry and his celebrated arts collective, Agua, Sol y Sereno—known for their vibrant masks, street theater, and community-inspired performances. Learn about coquí frogs, colorful birds, and glowing bioluminescent bays. Try out cool augmented reality tools to explore ancient Taíno artifacts, and enjoy tasty Puerto Rican food (available for purchase). Bring the whole family—there’s something for everyone to enjoy! <a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=9CL6b2hFBUGtQy461HJpV81eJ3UtrbBKqYG7USYYj-dUQTM3Wjk5MUM1SFEzQUFLS0tYSjlYQ0Y4NS4u">Advance registration recommended.</a> Free admission. Free event parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage starting at 12:00 pm. Presented by the Harvard Museum of Natural History, Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology, and the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture in collaboration with ArtsThursdays, Office for the Arts at Harvard, Ágora Cultural Architects, and Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción.

Harvard Museum of Natural History + Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

Double Take Exhibit Exploration

There are thousands of objects on display across all four museums that make up the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture. It’s easy to miss things even if they’re right in front of you. This playful, self-paced Exhibit Exploration reveals some of our favorite details, stories, and specimens, all hidden in plain sight! Uncover the secret clue hidden within to win a prize. Explore the galleries with your friends or family. Perhaps you’ll find something else that causes you to do a double take! Pro tip: join us any Sunday–Friday 11:00 am–4:00 pm to access all four museums! Pick up Double Take Exhibit Exploration at museum front desks. Regular museum admission rates apply. Presented by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology, Harvard Museum of Natural History, Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture.

Measuring Difference

Today, measurement is everywhere. We understand everything around us in inches, degrees, gallons, decibels, and more. But measurements are human inventions. It is through measures that we learn to see difference, to compare the world. In the Americas, colonial powers introduced new measurements to describe and exploit the “New World.” Existing ways of understanding and explaining the world and our relationship to others were displaced, cementing European measures as norms and tools of authority. Using examples from across the Americas, this exhibit illustrates what—and who—was measured, and how. See museum website for gallery closures.

Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments

Family Activities at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East

Join Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture volunteers for a live story reading and hands-on, family-friendly activities at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East. Recommended for ages 5–12. Admission to the museum is free. Sponsored by the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture.

The Spoon that Shaped an Artist’s Journey

A broken spoon. A burning kiln. A world reborn. In this intimate lecture, jewelry master Wallace Chan reflects on his childhood poverty, the symbolism of porcelain, and the years of trial that led to his invention of the Wallace Chan Porcelain—five times stronger than steel. More than a story of innovation, this is a meditation on silence, failure, memory, and the mysterious alchemy that turns fragility into strength. A reception will follow in the galleries of the Harvard Museum of Natural History, where the brooch Metamorphosis, created by Chan, is on display. <a href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=9CL6b2hFBUGtQy461HJpVzuBFVIk0WtBt3InCF_n4ulUQkpDU0s0WEhWRElJTlBBU0tFRUtJN1NXVC4u">Advance registration is required.</a> Free event parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage, starting at 5pm. Presented by the Harvard Museum of Natural History, in collaboration with the Harvard Mineralogical &amp; Geological Museum.

¡Ser Súper Is Super! The Power of Bilingualism!

In-Person Presentation Being bilingual is like having a superpower! It boosts your brain, opens doors, and connects you to people and cultures from around the world. Join bilingual museum educator, Javier Marin, for a fun-filled storybook reading in both English and Spanish that celebrates the power of being bilingual! After the reading, stick around for a hands-on craft workshop where kids and caregivers can get creative, practice their Spanish and build community together. Come join the fun, make friends, and see how powerful being bilingual can be! Recommended for ages 3—8. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzdgokaR6R5_RF4FIvauA4eRy_tIhp48PeF3yUACgldxOiIA/viewform">This program is free with required registration. Capacity is limited.</a> Presentación en persona ¡Ser bilingüe es como tener un superpoder! Estimula tu cerebro, te abre puertas y te conecta con personas y culturas de todo el mundo. Acompaña a Javier Marín, educador bilingüe del Museo, en una divertida lectura de cuentos en inglés y español que celebra el poder de ser bilingüe. Después de la lectura, quédate para un taller de manualidades donde los niños y las familias pueden ser creativos, practicar su español y construir una comunidad juntos. Únete a la diversión, haz amigos y comprueba lo poderoso que puede ser ser bilingüe. Recomendado para edades de 3 a 8 años <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWsjUeMMaCKrAJu0ahzNjNrixg5LF9JPlh4MwXXnjsE8kIRA/viewform">Este programa es gratis con inscripción obligatoria. Capacidad limitada.</a>

Harvard Museum of Natural History, Classroom B (Third Floor)

Summer Solstice 2025: Night at the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture

Join the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture on the longest day of the year—free of charge—to explore the galleries and new exhibitions at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East. Step outdoors to enjoy live music and performers, play lawn games, and make a flower crown. Ice cream, beverages, and food will be available for purchase from food trucks. Don’t miss out on this popular event for all ages! Sponsored by the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture. Presented in collaboration with Revels, the Office of the FAS Chief Campus Curator, Harvard University Graduate Commons Program, and Mass Cultural Council. Free event parking will be available at the 52 Oxford Street Garage. Please note that Divinity Avenue will be closed to traffic during the event. The Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture are an 8-minute walk through historic Harvard Yard from the Harvard Square MBTA Red Line station.

Science Spotlights: Minds Across the Multiverse & Why Do We Walk on Two Legs? Ask a Leaf!

In-Person Presentation Meet up-and-coming scientists and learn about questions at the forefront of research today in this series of short talks. 2:00–2:30 pm – Minds Across the Multiverse Speaker: Brandon Fricker, Postdoctoral Student, the Elya Lab Have you ever wondered why some animals are highly social, while others prefer solitude? Or why certain species behave aggressively, while others are more timid? Although behavior varies greatly across the animal kingdom, one thing remains constant: it’s shaped by the brain. In some astonishing cases, organisms can even hijack the brains of others to completely change their behavior. So, what exactly is happening inside the brain? Join Harvard scientist Brandon Fricker as he explores this question using simple “zombie” fly brains to uncover how larger, more complex brains drive behavior. 3:00–3:30 pm – Why Do We Walk on Two Legs? Ask a Leaf! Speaker: Ruth Tweedy, Graduate Student, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Have you ever wondered why people walk on two legs, while monkeys and apes—our closest living relatives—still swing through trees? Harvard scientist Ruth Tweedy thinks the answer might have something to do with where early humans lived. She studies ancient landscapes in eastern Africa by looking at the waxy coatings on leaves—tiny chemical “fingerprints” that plants leave behind in the ground. These fingerprints can last for millions of years and help tell the story of what the world looked like long ago. Join Ruth to uncover how clues from leaves reveal the environments where early humans lived—and why standing tall might have been the smartest way to get around. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Regular museum admission rates apply. Presented by the Harvard Museum of Natural History and Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture.

ArtsThursdays: A Free Night at the Museums

Free In-Person Event Join us for a free night at two of the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture. Come with a date, come with friends, or make new friends while strolling through the galleries. All ages are welcome. Harvard Museum of Natural History Experience the world-famous <a href="https://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/glass-flowers">Glass Flowers</a>. Voyage to the depths of human imagination in the exhibition, <a href="https://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/sea-monsters">Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination</a>. Come face-to-face with the ocean’s most famous, misunderstood megafauna in<a href="https://hmnh.harvard.edu/swimming-sharks"> Swimming with Sharks: A Deep Dive into Shark Biology and Behavior</a>. Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology Explore <a href="https://peabody.harvard.edu/castaway-afterlife-plastic">Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic</a>, a new, innovative exhibition that documents the art collective TRES’s journey along the beaches of Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania, where they collected and photographed debris that had washed up from places as far away as China. The exhibition is presented in English and Spanish. Harvard Commencement is on May 29. Parking options will be limited. Public transit is recommended. ArtsThursdays is a university-wide initiative supported by Harvard University Committee on the Arts (HUCA) .

Conversation and Exhibition Preview | Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic

TRES ilana boltvinik. Instituto de Artes Plásticas, Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico; 2016 Gardner Fellow in Photography rodrigo viñas. Independent artist; 2016 Gardner Fellow in Photography In conversation with Madeline Murphy Turner, Emily Rauh Pulitzer Curatorial Fellow in Contemporary Drawings, Harvard Art Museums Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic by the art collective TRES, is an art-research project that investigates plastic’s enduring presence in global ecosystems. Since 2016, TRES has searched for and photographed marine debris and plastic that has washed up on the Australian shores of Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Using photography, maps, and collected artifacts, the collective documents how plastic castaways of contemporary culture become embedded in landscapes—often unnoticed yet ever-present. Castaway’s visual poetry, mimicry, and humor aim to prompt reflection on humanity’s materiality, use, and deep entanglement with plastic. At the same time, the project speculates about new forms of coexistence in which life and synthetic matter evolve together in unexpected ways. Presented in Spanish with English translation. A reception and exhibition preview will follow in the galleries of the Peabody Museum. Free and open to the public. Free event parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage. Advance registration recommended. Presented by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology and the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Where

hmsc

Experiences

Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination

Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic

Shamanism: The Timeless Religion

Virtual Egypt: 3D Teaching with Museum Collections

¡Celebremos Puerto Rico!

Double Take Exhibit Exploration

Measuring Difference

Family Activities at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East

The Spoon that Shaped an Artist’s Journey

Family Activities at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East

¡Ser Súper Is Super! The Power of Bilingualism!

Summer Solstice 2025: Night at the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture

Science Spotlights: Minds Across the Multiverse & Why Do We Walk on Two Legs? Ask a Leaf!

ArtsThursdays: A Free Night at the Museums

Conversation and Exhibition Preview | Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic