The History of the Planetarium at The Bishop
For over half a century, the Planetarium at The Bishop has served as a connection to the cosmos for our local community. From students on their first field trip to families seeking an afternoon of wonder, our dome has ignited countless sparks of curiosity for generations. The Planetarium is not just a theater but a gateway to our universe that reminds us we are connected under the same sky and that the wonders of astronomy are for all.
Our journey to the stars began by the sea. Founded in 1949 as the South Florida Museum, the institution quickly outgrew its original home at the Memorial Pier. A visionary, Dr. W.D. Sugg, dreamed of a unique planetarium with forward-facing seats, a vision realized through the extraordinary generosity of Lillian Bishop in honor of her late husband, Edward. In 1966, the new South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium opened, featuring a state-of-the-art Spitz projector, one of only a handful in the country. The following decades saw the addition of an observatory and the wildly popular Laser Fantasies shows. A devastating electrical fire in 2001 destroyed the original dome, but our community rallied with incredible support, leading to a triumphant rebirth. The new, all-digital Planetarium reopened in 2005, and in 2019, the Museum was renamed to honor the Bishops’ foundational legacy forever.
Today, the impact of the Planetarium is more significant than ever, as we’ve welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors into our dome. Since our reopening, laser shows returned to The Bishop as Laser Light Nights, Planetarium programming has expanded with Eyes on the Sky, KidSpace, and Stelliferous, and community events are ever-present with quarterly Sidewalk Astronomy Events. As the cornerstone of our vision to ignite a passion for science and nature, we offer immersive and impactful experiences from your backyard to the universe.
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.
Do you have questions about the sky? Ask our Astronomers.
For our visitors, “something incredible” is discovered right here, beneath our dome. You can be a part of our next great discovery! By donating to the Planetarium, you are ensuring an inspired, informed, and interconnected community for generations to come. Please consider making a gift today.