BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA)- The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton has been drawing visitors since the 1940’s.

This gem is known for its planetarium, where visitors can watch live demonstrations and astronomical images.

“Without museums, we don’t have a shared history of our world,” Director of Museum Experience Ashley Waite said. “They’re really critical.”

The two-floor museum is also home to a manatee rehabilitation center, where there are currently three manatees being cared for.

Visitors will find exhibitions covering Florida wildlife, fossils and a variety of artefacts.

Staff has recently opened a new exhibit called Life in One Cubic Foot, which blends science and culture.

“A scientist from the Smithsonian, who is a biodiversity scientist, placed these lime green cubes in different ecosystems around the world,” Waite said. “They were monitored over a period and scientists documented all of the species that could be found in the cube or passed through.”

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Click here for ticket information.