Portland Insectarium is a zoo and museum dedicated to insects, arachnids, and other arthropods. See and touch live and preserved bugs, engage in interactive activities, explore a curated selection of toys, games, and books. Connect with experts and fellow enthusiasts and join a vibrant community of bug lovers. We are celebrating education, nurturing creativity, and sparking curiosity!
Since we first opened in December 2021, we’ve overcome many challenges, including being forced to relocate twice. Each move involves packing and transporting an entire zoo of live animals—a stressful and complex task. This past March, with just six days' notice that our building was being sold, we had to quickly to find a new home.
Thankfully, with the help of a generous supporter, we secured a new space, and we were even given a van to help expand our reach. With the van, we’ve been able to bring the Insectarium experience to events like birthday parties, field trips, and the library—critical when it’s slow and general admission doesn’t cover our expenses.
We originally started a GoFundMe and began collecting items for an auction because we were told in December that we would be losing our van, which we use for outreach and off-site events. However, after creating the fundraiser and getting a ton of generous donations of items and services from the community, we found out that the van is not being take after all and we no longer need to purchase a vehicle. Having already started the fundraising process, we have decided to move forward and contiue raising money for other important things we need. We still need to get the van registered to us and get insurance in our name, which will utilize some of the money. After that, remaing funds will go to installing an improved wheelchair ramp, paying an accountant to help with taxes and other confusing business things, getting a better sign, tables and planters for out front, better and cooler educational displays, and in general investing in our success and continued exitence.
Thank you always and forever for your support of the insectarium!
Jessica