The National Geographic Society has officially opened the new National Geographic Museum of Exploration, welcoming visitors to its reimagined global headquarters at 1600 M Street NW in downtown Washington, D.C. Designed with sustainability in mind, the state-of-the-art attraction marks a significant new chapter in the organization's history while encouraging visitors to embrace their own spirit of discovery.
Situated in the heart of the U.S. capital, the museum transforms the conventional museum model by replacing passive observation with immersive participation. For decades, National Geographic has captivated audiences through powerful visual storytelling that fosters meaningful connections to the world. The Museum of Exploration extends that experience beyond print and digital platforms, recreating environments that allow visitors to physically step into historical moments and engage with contemporary scientific discoveries. Unlike traditional institutions focused primarily on preserving the past, this museum offers a dynamic and interactive experience centered on ongoing exploration.
"The Museum of Exploration reflects the story of the National Geographic Society—our legacy, our purpose, and our vision for the future," said Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society. "From the moment guests enter, they are immersed in the inspiring stories, groundbreaking discoveries, and bold ideas of our Explorers. We hope every visitor leaves empowered to ask bigger questions, pursue new opportunities, and recognize their own potential as explorers. The future of exploration belongs to everyone."
Coinciding with the museum's opening, the Society is launching "Wonders of Our World: Ocean," a ticketed, 17-minute outdoor nighttime spectacle presented in the newly redesigned museum courtyard. Created in partnership with the acclaimed multimedia studio Moment Factory and inspired by the work of National Geographic Explorers, the experience combines cutting-edge technology with immersive storytelling for audiences of all ages. The production features an expansive multimedia environment incorporating high-resolution LED displays, architectural lighting, interactive floor projections, spatial audio, and the world's largest smart-glass installation for dynamic visual projections across the pavilion façade. Enhanced by an original musical score and immersive sound design, the experience takes audiences on a compelling journey through the beauty and power of Earth's oceans.
The experience begins with a pre-show activation featuring atmospheric lighting, immersive audio, and interactive floor projections throughout the courtyard. A dramatic building illumination sequence signals the start of the main performance, which uses large-scale 3D visual effects to position the ocean as the central protagonist, exploring themes of strength, balance, and wonder. Following the performance, visitors are invited to interact with bioluminescent-inspired floor projections that respond to movement under simulated moonlight.
Serving as a natural extension of the museum's daytime exhibitions, the nighttime experience complements more than 100,000 square feet of accessible and sustainably designed public spaces featuring permanent and rotating exhibitions, including:
• Rolex Explorers Landing: A dedicated exhibition showcasing artifacts and stories that trace the journey of explorers from their earliest moments of curiosity to their lasting contributions.
• The Archives, Supported by Lilly Endowment Inc.: A unique opportunity to view historic field journals, artifacts, and digital innovations from landmark expeditions that helped define the Society's storytelling legacy.
• National Geographic Learning Launchpad, Powered by Cengage: An interactive geography and mapmaking environment designed to engage students and school groups in hands-on learning experiences.
• Jack and Laura Dangermond | Esri Geoverse: An advanced 270-degree immersive theater featuring rotating presentations and interactive experiences highlighting diverse environments and field research.
• "Photo Ark: Animals of Earth": Presented in the museum's Exhibition Gallery, this immersive exhibition showcases breathtaking panoramic wildlife photography by National Geographic Explorer Joel Sartore.
• "In Focus: Photographs of National Geographic": A permanent gallery displaying iconic National Geographic photography, including the special exhibition "Red, White, & Blue: Photographs of the United States," commemorating America's upcoming semiquincentennial.
• Interactive Ecosystems, Powered by EPAM (Courtyard): An outdoor interactive environment featuring life-sized sculptures, immersive audio experiences, augmented reality elements, and themed ecological displays.
• Explorers Eatery & The Ballard Bar: Guests can enjoy globally inspired cuisine at the Explorers Eatery, featuring American, Italian, Moroccan, Peruvian, and Vietnamese dishes, as well as beverages at The Ballard Bar, named in honor of Explorer at Large Robert "Bob" Ballard.
To celebrate the grand opening, the museum will host an extensive lineup of events from June 26 through June 28, offering visitors opportunities to engage with renowned Explorers, participate in interactive activities, and experience cultural performances.
Festivities on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, will include ecosystem-themed screen printing workshops led by Explorer Nirupa Rao, smartphone photography classes, and mapmaking scavenger hunts. Visitors will also have opportunities to meet celebrated Explorers and attend live discussions featuring marine scientist Sylvia Earle, technologist Albert Lin, journalist Tara Roberts, and others. Evening programming will feature cultural performances by groups including Beat Ya Feet Academy and the Hung Vuong Lion Dance Team, culminating in an international street festival atmosphere.
On Sunday, June 28, family-focused programming will offer hands-on educational experiences, including building tracking devices with the Explorer Technology Lab, exploring aquatic ecosystems alongside the Mahogany Mermaids, and creating environmental storytelling comics. Guests will also be able to attend "Best of the Eatery," a special event featuring National Geographic's "Best of the World" host Antoni Porowski, who will explore the stories and culinary traditions behind the museum's international food offerings through conversations with the culinary team and tastings from all five food stations.
The closing day of celebrations will feature presentations from Explorers such as biodiversity researchers Ruthmery Pillco Huarcaya and Steve Boyes, accompanied by traditional Peruvian music and dance performances from Papalca DC and nature-inspired acoustic performances by Dr. Ben Mirin, also known as DJ Ecotone.
The National Geographic Society also acknowledged the contributions of its Grand Opening Partners—Cengage, Chubb, EPAM, Jack and Laura Dangermond | Esri, Principal Foundation, Rolex, and The Climate Pledge—for their support in bringing the Museum of Exploration to fruition.
Visitor Information and Tickets
The National Geographic Museum of Exploration will be open daily.

Click here to buy tickets to the Museum of Exploration.

Dailycsr.com – 21 December 2017 – Newmont Mine operates through “sustainable and responsible mining”, while it expands its “existing operations” in a profitable yet in a responsible manner so as to create “values” and improve “lives”.
 
In the month of August, the company made an announcement whereby revealing that its “Tanami Expansion Project” on Australian “Northern Territory” on schedule to begin its safe “commercial production”, while the same project was well within budget.
 
For the said project around “$120 million” capital investments were made in expectation of an annual increment in the mine’s gold production by “80,000 ounces per year”, whereby lowering “all-in sustaining costs” and extending the mine’s life for span of added three years. The President as well as the Chief Executive Officer of Newmont, Gary Goldberg said:
“Tanami’s team has more than doubled gold production while cutting costs by about two-thirds and significantly improving resource confidence since 2012. The expansion project continues this trajectory, offering robust returns of 35 percent at a $1,200 gold price.”
 
As the name suggests, the Tanami mines are located in the remote area of Tanami Desert, while the mine and its operations were “fully owned” by Newmont, which began to work at the site from 2002. Moreover, Tanami mines are among the “largest gold producers” in Australia, whereby it provides employment to around “1,450 people”.
 
Furthermore, the Ethical Performance informed that:
“The expansion included adding a ball mill, thickener and gravity circuit to improve recoveries, and expanding mill capacity from 2.3 to 2.6 million tonnes per year. And, thanks to the dedication, skill and hard work of Newmont’s team in Australia, the project was delivered on time despite a one-month delay caused by record rainfall earlier this year”.
 
While, further studies are being done to undertake a “second expansion” project given the continuous successful exploration events. Among other options, there are “additional declines, the construction of a new production shaft and various strategic reassessments”.
 
Yet again, Newmont demonstrates its “profitable project development” commitment through the “Tanami Expansion Project”. In the course of the last three years, Newmont started “new mines at Merian (Suriname) and Long Canyon (Nevada)” besides expanding its “operations at Cripple Creek and Victor (Colorado)”.
 
Moreover, Newmont offers an “interactive microsite” called “Lifecycle of a Mine” which gives detailed information about the company’s mine productions. The said microsite can be accesses at:
http://lifecycle.newmont.com/
 
 
References:
ethicalperformance.com