On June 20, 1969, the New England Aquarium we know today opened its doors to the public. The Aquarium was designed with the intention of providing an underwater experience for visitors as well as a cultural institution that would connect Boston to its waterfront. In its almost four decades of existence, the Aquarium has grown in size and evolved in concept. This timeline highlights many of the Aquarium’s changing exhibits, expeditions and innovations—almost 40 years of innovative education and programming, as well as a physical space that has evolved to keep pace with millions of visitors. Timeline 2000-present Timeline 1990-1999 Timeline 1980-1989 Timeline 1969-1979