Morrill Hall to offer free Thursday night admission in February

Cold outside? Warm up and mingle among the mammoths in Morrill Hall. The University of Nebraska State Museum will offer free admission to Morrill Hall Thursday nights in February in celebration of its 140th anniversary. The museum will be open free of charge to visitors 4:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24.

After February, Morrill Hall will continue to be open until 8 p.m. Thursdays, but beginning March 3, regular admission will be charged. The museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays.

Mueller Planetarium, located inside the museum, will present the fulldome show "Black Holes" Thursdays at 7 p.m. in February. Regular admission to Mueller Planetarium fulldome shows will apply and tickets to planetarium shows can be purchased at the front desk of the museum. The complete fulldome schedule can be found at www.spacelaser.com.

Established in 1871, the University of Nebraska State Museum is celebrating its 140th anniversary with special promotions and educational events throughout the year. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday; 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays; and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults (19 and over), $3 for children (5-18 years, 4 and under are free), and $10 for families (up to two adults and children). UNL staff, faculty and students are admitted free with valid NU ID. There is an additional charge for planetarium shows. Planetarium tickets are sold at the museum's front desk the day of the show. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.museum.unl.edu.

WRITER: Dana Ludvik