Upcoming Renovations

Due to limited space at the National Museum, our organization will be constructing a second building opposite the National Museum at the site of the prior Lion's Zoo. This building will be called, "The Museum for Human Origins" and will house everything from the existing museum (less the artwork) and allow for new subject categories, such as Athletics and Diplomacy. The existing museum site will then transition to serving exclusively as an art museum housing our country's historical, cultural, and modern artwork.

The exterior of the museum will undergo substantial renovation as well as ongoing maintenance. Focus will be on the following areas:

1. Construction of a courtyard fountain (& ongoing prescriptive maintenance)
2. Exterior building paint job
3. Updated building signage with new logo
4. Updated landscaping with local indigenous plants & accompanying signage
5. Removal & updated bricklaying in front of main building
6. Renovation of patio into hybrid coffee ceremony station & band stage
7. Installation of permanent side wall signage of locations in Ethiopia along with overhang shading to prevent UV print degradation

The interior of the museum will likewise receive some much needed TLC. Museum renovations will focus on the following key areas for this initial phase of renovation:

1. Renovation of entrance area
2. Updated carpeting
3. Updated partition walls
4. Lighting installation
5. Interior painting & drywall repairs
6. ​Fire extinguishers & other safety

The museum will add 10 new infographics along with updated plaques throughout the museum. These infographics will be migrated over to the new location site once building is completed.

The museum will add 4 interactive displays for the purpose of enhancing visitor experience as well as broadening appeal to a younger audience. These interactive displays will be as follows:

1. Outdoor sand box for fossil digging - Outdoor
2. Fossil Puzzles - 1st Floor
3. Laying on traditional Ethiopian head rests - 3rd Floor
4. Full screen dance instructional video - 3rd Floor

Starting in January of 2026, the National Museum Of Ethiopia will begin dedicating the second floor of the museum to temporary exhibits. Funding will go towards the enhancement of these exhibits with interactive displays and signage where needed.

To learn more about our current and past exhibits, check out our exhibits section of the website.