Visitors to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) may enjoy walking through the village of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, past the brick and wood-frame buildings of the Institution and other scientific agencies. From Water Street (Woods Hole's main street) one can, on occasion, catch glimpses of the oceanographic research vessels being readied for their next voyages at WHOI's pier. Although for safety reasons access to the ships, the pier, and the laboratories of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is restricted to WHOI staff members, the Institution offers two facilities for the general public:
- WHOI Information Office -- A small office,
staffed by volunteers and employees,
at 93 Water Street in the center of the village. The Information Office
offers literature and a small display about the work of the Institution.
Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
During the summer, the Information Office offers guided walking tours of the WHOI dock area and village facilities. Tours will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on weekdays from the last week in June through Labor Day. Tours are free, but space is limited and reservations are required. Telephone (508) 289-2252.
- WHOI Exhibit Center -- A two-story
building (a former church) at 15 School Street in the village of
Woods Hole. The Exhibit Center, staffed by volunteers
and WHOI employees, offers informative displays and videos about
WHOI research projects and the vessels, vehicles, and instruments
used to conduct this research. A special feature is the full-size
model of the personnel sphere of WHOI's Deep Submergence Vehicle
Alvin. A donation of $2/person for those over 10 years of
age is suggested.
The Exhibit Center's gift shop, a modest enterprise that helps support the education and research projects of the Institution, offers unique items for sale. Telephone (508) 289-2663.
The Exhibit Center schedule is:
April: By appointment, 508-289-2663 or kpatterson@whoi.edu
May - October: Monday- Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
November & December: Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
The public may also attend many of the science lectures and seminars sponsored by WHOI, which are described in the Weekly Calendar of Events. Especially popular is WHOI's "Peanut Butter Club," a series of films and presentations offered every Friday at noon in Redfield Auditorium.
- WHOI Exhibit Center -- A two-story
building (a former church) at 15 School Street in the village of
Woods Hole. The Exhibit Center, staffed by volunteers
and WHOI employees, offers informative displays and videos about
WHOI research projects and the vessels, vehicles, and instruments
used to conduct this research. A special feature is the full-size
model of the personnel sphere of WHOI's Deep Submergence Vehicle
Alvin. A donation of $2/person for those over 10 years of
age is suggested.
