Free Admission the First Wednesday of the Month
The Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) is excited to announce the return of its Amazon Free Afternoons program. Thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Amazon Charitable Fund for the Greater Rochester Region at Rochester Area Community Foundation, community members can enjoy free admission to all three RMSC locations from noon to 5 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month, starting August 5, 2026, and running through July 7, 2027.
During its previous run from August 2024 to August 2025, the initiative welcomed thousands of guests at no cost, eliminating economic barriers to access and opening doors to hands-on learning.
“The RMSC’s mission is to inspire lifelong learning, and that starts with making these experiences accessible to all,” said Bruce Baker, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the RMSC. “We are deeply grateful to the Amazon Charitable Fund and Rochester Area Community Foundation for bringing back a program that clearly resonates with local families. By removing financial barriers, we hope to spark a passion for discovery that inspires our community’s youth to pursue future careers in STEM and related career opportunities.”
“Monroe County is proud to have helped bring Amazon and the Rochester Museum & Science Center together around a shared goal: expanding access to learning, discovery, and opportunity for families across our community,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “Through COMIDA’s support for Amazon’s major investments in Monroe County, we also made clear that strong economic development should translate into strong community partnership. Amazon Free Afternoons is exactly the kind of outcome we hoped to see – a meaningful investment that removes barriers for children and families, supports one of our region’s most important cultural and educational institutions, and helps inspire the next generation of STEM talent right here in Monroe County.”
The upcoming Amazon Free Afternoons series will feature a robust lineup of interactive programming across all three campuses, including:
- Museum & Science Center: Live demonstrations, Electricity Theater, and hands-on STEM encounters.
- Strasenburgh Planetarium: Captivating star and laser shows.
- Cumming Nature Center: Scenic nature hikes and outdoor exploration.
Through this renewed partnership, the RMSC invites neighbors from across the region to explore, experiment, and imagine. Whether guests are testing prototypes, experimenting with lasers, or discovering local natural history, this program directly advances the organization’s commitment to fostering curiosity and community engagement.
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