Part 1: Introduction and Museum Description

Part 1: Introduction and Museum Description.

Welcome to the Broad Discovery Center at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Our free public museum opened in the 7,100 square foot atrium lobby of the Richard Merkin building in 2022. It’s a busy space and can be quite noisy, so we recommend you use headphones for this tour if you have them, or hold your phone close to your ear. 

The Broad Discovery Center features five color-coded galleries and two large interactive digital exhibits. This audio tour is intended to help guide you through the galleries, and is arranged sequentially. The tour is 17 minutes long, but if you’d like, you may skip ahead at any time, and focus on the exhibit area that most interests you. If you’d like to dig deeper into the most recent scientific developments, use the QR codes posted throughout the exhibits to find curated articles and online resources to enrich your experience.

If you are here during museum hours, one of our visitor experience assistants will be on-hand to answer your questions. Outside of museum hours, the security staff at the large circular reception desk can direct you to restrooms or seating. There are several benches located throughout the space, and we also have a few wheelchairs available to borrow in the coat room, if you require additional support throughout your visit. The coat room is located directly across from the main entrance between the auditorium and reception desk. You are welcome to leave your belongings there for the duration of your visit, but please note that this room is not monitored. Just inside the coatroom you will also find a lactation room, should you require a private space. Turn to your left as you enter the coatroom, and the door will be immediately on your right.  

Now if you are ready to begin your tour, make your way to one of the three blue and white teardrop-shaped exhibit structures next to the front entrance.