Science East, Science museum in York County, New Brunswick, Canada
Science East is a science museum housed in a former York County Gaol building with multiple floors of hands-on exhibits and experimental stations. Visitors can explore scientific phenomena directly through interactive displays arranged throughout the space.
Science East was founded in 1994 as New Brunswick's first interactive science centre. In 1999 it moved into the former York County Jail, a building constructed in 1842, where interactive exhibits were combined with interpretation of the jail's history. In February 2024 the museum closed temporarily for financial and operational reasons, and in July 2024 the organization announced plans to sell the property, which was sold later that year.
The centre's name plays on the building's past: the former York County Jail stood on the city's east side, and the science centre opened there in 1999. Visitors could explore hands-on exhibits and also learn about the jail's history, including its 1842 construction and use as a correctional facility.
The museum operates during warmer months and tends to get busy on weekends, so arriving earlier in the day helps you use the interactive stations without delays. Planning a visit for weekday mornings usually offers a more comfortable experience for exploring the exhibits.
Science East occupied the former York County Jail, built in 1842, from 1999 until 2024. The organization sold the property in 2024 to fund a new permanent science centre and moved to temporary offices, so the jail no longer houses the museum.
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