June 12, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
The Da Vinci Science Center, Allentown’s $75 million boondoggle, has a new boss.
Conor Hepp is the new chief executive of Da Vinci, which was a huge bomb in its first year at 815 Hamilton St.
Maybe the big naked guy (see below) would have helped.
The former management, including Executive Director Lyn Erickson, made big promises as Da Vinci went around scooping up millions of dollars in state grants and millions more in loans. I didn’t take their projections seriously when I saw the presentation but people who dispense our money were fooled.
Da Vinci promised it would reach 400,000 people in its first year on Hamilton Street. It fell just a little short, actually 60% short. The science center said it reached 160,000 people, and that doesn’t even mean 160,000 people went into the building. That may include outreach, which can be many things.
Count as you wish, the center missed its goal by 240,000 people.
If I address the Garden Club, can I claim more hits on this blog?
The attendance estimate appears to have been based on some simple math: the new place would be 2.5 times bigger so 2.5 times more people would go. What they didn’t take into account was people don’t like paying for parking, people don’t like parking in decks and some people don’t like going to downtown Allentown.
The total didn’t even reach the number Da Vinci said it served at its former Cedar Crest College location. So a $75 million edifice was built for what purpose?
What did taxpayers get out of this? They got the bill.
Before deciding to move downtown, Da Vinci had an entertaining and failed courtship with the City of Easton. The city’s leadership gave up on Da Vinci when the center’s plans kept changing: an aquarium, a big naked guy overlooking Easton (a Vitruvian man, but still a big naked guy) and then an indoor nature walk.
The big naked guy idea got attention but not the good kind. Some towns may need a big naked guy to draw visitors but Easton is not one of them.
So the courtship ended, but not before Northampton County dropped a few hundred thousand dollars on nothing. The story of Easton’s flirtation with Da Vinci is told at Lehigh Valley Ramblings. The hero of the story is Ken Kraft, the Council president who put a stop to the county gravy train to Da Vinci.
Allentown must not have been paying attention.
Hepp seems like a good choice to lead Da Vinci but I don’t see any rescue credentials in this press release. The place might need an intervention after its “bomb-umental” first year downtown.
He has worked at the Barnes Foundation (I’m a member so even I like that) and later at the Chester County History Center.
Right now, Da Vinci’s big exhibit is one of those immersive Impressionist art shows. What that has to do with science education is a mystery and I’m not going to pay $30 to dance to Degas or rock with Renoir.
If I want to see Impressionists, I’m going to the Barnes or MOMA or the Met or the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They have real ones and I’m a member at all of them. I recommend them, particularly the Barnes and its Garden Restaurant Cafe.
If you like immersive shows, Da Vinci is the place. I’ve heard from people about the center. Some like it, some say it’s worth one visit, some don’t like it and quite a few people haven’t gone. I’m in the last group and will remain there until they have a free day for irritating bloggers.
Good luck, Mr. Hepp! This place needs something, starting with a grasp of reality.
Below is a cut-and-paste version of the release from the Da Vinci Science Center:
ALLENTOWN, PA, June 9, 2026 – Da Vinci Science Center announces the appointment of Conor Hepp as its next Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. Hepp will assume the role on July 6, 2026.
A respected nonprofit and museum leader with nearly two decades of experience, Hepp joins Da Vinci Science Center from the Chester County History Center, where he currently serves as President. Throughout his career, Hepp has built a reputation for growing audiences, strengthening community partnerships, advancing educational initiatives, and leading mission-driven organizations through periods of innovation and growth.
“Conor brings a unique combination of strategic leadership, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to educational impact,” said Dan Bosket, Chair of Da Vinci Science Center’s Board of Trustees. “His experience leading cultural institutions, engaging communities, and building strong organizational foundations positions him well to guide the Science Center as we continue to inspire curiosity and create transformative STEAM learning experiences for people of all ages.”
Prior to leading the Chester County History Center, Hepp served as Director of Visitor Experience at the Barnes Foundation, where he oversaw visitor engagement, revenue strategy, and operational planning. His professional background also includes leadership roles at the University of Pennsylvania and the Franklin Institute, where he developed extensive experience in museum operations, educational programming, customer experience, and organizational development.
“I am honored to join Da Vinci Science Center and build upon its remarkable legacy of inspiring exploration and discovery,” said Hepp. “The Science Center plays a vital role in connecting people with science and creating opportunities for lifelong learning. I look forward to working with the talented staff, dedicated Board of Trustees, educators, community partners, and supporters to expand access to STEM experiences and deepen the Science Center’s impact throughout the region.”
Since opening its new home at Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion, the organization has become a premier destination for science learning and exploration in the Lehigh Valley, serving families, students, educators, and visitors through immersive exhibits, educational programming, and community partnerships.
About Da Vinci Science Center
Da Vinci Science Center is a national award-winning non-profit science center that has been bringing science to life and lives to science for over 30 years. Da Vinci Science Center makes science fun and approachable, helping to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with the wonders of science. To learn more about our programs, visit davincisciencecenter.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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