Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach an Impressive Offering

The Museum of Arts and Sciences (MOAS) in Daytona Beach, Florida offers a unique combination of fine arts, natural science, history, and modern technology. Located just a few blocks from the beach and easily accessible from Interstate 95, MOAS was founded in 1962 and is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The museum sits on a 90-acre Florida preserve and contains 86,000 square-feet of space. MOAS's very impressive permanent collection includes some 30,000 objects ranging from paintings to Americana to ancient animal bones.

Most impressive is the Museum of Arts and Sciences' collection of Cuban art, the largest outside of Cuba. Much of it was a gift from 1950s Cuban President Fulgencio Batista, who enjoyed vacationing in the Daytona Beach area. Featuring the works of both 19th and 20th century Cuban artists, such as Miguel Melero and Victor Manuel, the goal of this portion of the museum is to give Cuban Americans a chance to view pieces of their unique culture.

The Schulte Gallery showcases a fine collection of Chinese art that spans several decades and many dynasties, including porcelain, gemstones, bronzes, Cloisonny, manuscripts and pottery. A Gallery of International Decorative Arts thrills visitors with an excellent display of ornate pieces including jewelry, porcelain, glass, silver, gold, enamels, furniture, mirrors and assorted other objects from around the world.

Early American art work of various genres is on display at the Dow Gallery. This area includes an impressive portrait gallery by some of America's premiere portrait artists as well as a number of seascapes and still life pieces. Visitors can also view furniture from different time periods, with a specific emphasis on the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and the American Victorian era.

For guests visiting with children, the Americana and Coca-Cola gallery is a favorite. The items found here, mostly donated by the Root Family of Coca-Cola fame, include a collection of 800 Teddy Bears, hundreds of Coke-related items, and even two mid-century train cars that were owned by the family and used for travel. Kids will also want to visit the Florida History section of MOAS, where they can view the skeleton of a 13-foot-tall giant sloth and other rare specimens.

In 2008, the Museum of Arts and Sciences opened a new children's wing, the Charles and Linda Williams' Children's Museum, in an attempt to make MOAS more appealing to children in elementary school and younger. This hands-on center focuses on simple science and modern technology. Kids can build a race car, play a laser harp, or find out what it takes to be a doctor in this 9,300 square-foot section of the museum.

MOAS also boasts a state-of-the-art planetarium that offers star- and solar system-related shows on both weekdays and weekends. Several times a week, the planetarium entertains guests with unique laser shows as well.

Outside, guests can view the nature preserve that surrounds the museum. Boardwalks and nature trails wind through the 90-acre area and interpretive signs offer insight as to the flora and fauna of the region

Visitors to the museum may explore on their own or download audio tours to their personal listening devices for more information on each of the displays or collections.