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Welcome to MAPS:
Where History is an Adventure
The Museum of Archaeology, Paleontology, and Science (MAPS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational facility, research center, and dynamic community hub dedicated to uncovering the wonders of our world. Located in New Port Richey, Florida, MAPS bridges the gap between ancient history and modern science, offering an immersive look into global antiquities, prehistoric life, and interactive STEM/STEAM education.
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Whether we are excavating Cretaceous dinosaurs in Wyoming, conserving local Florida shipwreck artifacts, or inspiring the next generation of scientists in our hands-on prep labs, MAPS is proof that history isn’t just a subject—it’s an adventure.
You can support our museum programs by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List. Your contributions help us enhance our exhibits and provide engaging experiences for visitors. Every purchase makes a difference and allows us to continue our mission of education and inspiration. Thank you for your generosity!
A World-Class Collection
From the ancient sands of Egypt to the prehistoric riverbeds of Florida, our expansive archive features over 12,000 historic, archaeological, paleontological, and geological objects.
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Prehistoric Giants: Our collection boasts a massive array of dinosaur fossils, including authentic T-Rex, Triceratops, Ankylosaur, and Hadrosaur bones.
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Global Antiquities: Explore world-class exhibits featuring African and pre-Columbian art, Mediterranean and Egyptian relics, a recreation of King Tut's tomb, and North American artifacts, including a rare 2,000-year-old indigenous dugout canoe.​​
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The Dr Rinker Collection: Acquired in 2024, this collection features a gorilla skull, a rare shrunken head, an African throne, a massive osteology and taxidermy collection, and objects directly tied to Charles Darwin.
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Out of This World: See space history up close with an authentic Space Shuttle tile, a shuttle toggle switch, and a rare "Moon Tree" seed that orbited the moon during NASA’s Artemis mission, all proudly donated by NASA.
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The MAPS Library: A specialized research resource holding over 3,000 volumes dedicated to natural history, archaeology, and physical sciences.
Science in Action: Active Conservation & Research Labs
We don't just display history; we unearth and protect it. MAPS operates fully functioning laboratory spaces where visitors and students can witness real-time scientific preservation. There is no "behind-the-scenes" secrecy here—we believe in putting the science on center stage!
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Paleontology Prep Lab: Watch our team use specialized air scribes and baking soda blasting to carefully free massive dinosaur bones from their rock matrices.
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Marine Archaeology & Conservation: Discover how historic shipwreck artifacts are rescued from time and salt water using advanced electrolytic conservation processes.
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Tomorrow's Tech Today: See how modern technology preserves ancient pasts through interactive 3D scanning, digital rendering, and 3D artifact printing.
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Earth and Biological Sciences: Home to extensive geology and paleontology study collections, and a growing osteology collection.
Looking to the Future
MAPS is growing! Following massive collection acquisitions—including 300 dinosaur bones (T-Rex, Triceratops), a 2,000-year-old dugout canoe, and the historic Dr. Rinker collection—we are actively looking for a permanent, expanded facility to house and display our rapidly growing collections for generations to come.
[Interested in sponsoring our expansion? Check out our sponsorship opportunities.]
Educational Impact & Community Partnerships
MAPS is proud to be a vital educational partner to the Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough school systems, with a strong focus on experiential STEM/STEAM learning.
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School District Partnerships: Our official partnership brings natural history programs straight into local classrooms and welcomes students to our Museum Support Center for curatorial training.
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Classroom Travel Trunks: Packed with authentic, hands-on artifacts in archaeology, paleontology, and geology (all with a Florida focus) for local teachers to use in their own classroom.
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Summer STEM/STEAM Camps: MAPS proudly hosts over 600 Title I school children every summer for high-energy, interactive science camps.​​
We host public guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays, and private group tours throughout the week.
Contact us to book:
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Themed Birthday Parties & Special Events
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School Field Trips & Outreach Programs
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Lecture Series, International Trips, & Fieldwork Opportunities
Vision Statement
To become a regional destination for exhibition, education and entertainment, and to become a regional center for research in archaeology, paleontology, and related fields.
Mission Statement
To exhibit, educate and research in the scientific areas of archaeology, paleontology, and related fields.
Statement of Purpose
To better understand and disseminate information on the subject of archaeology, paleontology and related fields, including world culture and Florida prehistory.
Included in this are the goals to: 1) Exhibit 2) Educate 3) Research.
Board of Directors
as of June 24, 2026
Documents
Museum Departments:
MAPS maintains three main departments: Archaeology, Paleontology, and Science & Technology. Each department cultivates its own research teams, maintains its own collections, publishes in its own area of expertise, conducts field research, and conducts meetings and events inside areas of investigation.
The Department of Archaeology maintains active dig sites with its partners the US, Greece/Cyprus, Central America, and China. Crews have conducted Greek and Roman excavations in the Mediterranean, Native American sites in Ohio and Florida, Maya sites throughout Central America, and other locations around the globe. Partners include the University of South Florida in Tampa and the University of Florida in Gainesville. Qualified members are welcome to participate in these excavations. Contact MAPS for more information.
The Department of Paleontology maintains active dig sites with its partners in the US, Canada, and China. Crews have conducted Cretaceous age excavations in the Lance Creek formation in Wyoming, Triassic age excavations in North Carolina, and Pliocene/Pleistocene age excavations in Florida. Qualified members are welcome to participate in these excavations. Contact MAPS for more information.
The Department of Science & Technology is a unique department in that it is tied to the STEM (and STEAM) programs in the Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough school systems. This department also researches and develops exhibits in the history of technology such as the history of communication, music, ax technology, hammer technology, light, batteries, etc. This department is also working on various patents and research and development opportunities. This department partners with LFC in expanding its animatronic technology, bringing current technology to area schools in the way of robotic dinosaurs, motion detection, wearable dinosaur suits, and holograms. Qualified members are welcome to participate in this area of research. Contact MAPS for more information.
