after world war ii, the old museum of science building was sold, and the museum was relocated, again under the name boston museum of science. under the leadership of bradford washburn, the society negotiated with the metropolitan district commission for a 99-year lease of the land on the charles river dam bridge, now known as science park. the museum pays $1 a year to the state for use of the land. construction and development began in 1948, and the museum opened in 1951, arguably the first all-encompassing science museum in the country.