Created by the Houston Museum of Natural Science & Stage Nine Exhibits, First Touring Exhibit – Death by Natural Causes – Debuts June 27
After acquiring and renovating the historic Blake, Moffitt & Towne Paper Company building at 1115 Front Street at the Old Sacramento Waterfront, Stage Nine Entertainment is excited to officially announce the newly-renamed The Paperworks building. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, June 26, at 11 a.m. to celebrate the opening of the reimagined space plus introduce the debut of its first touring exhibition – Death by Natural Causes – that opens to the public the following day.
“At Stage Nine, our creative and dedicated exhibits crew is constantly exploring what is possible and looking for incredible and immersive concepts from all over the world to introduce here at the Old Sacramento Waterfront,” said Stage Nine Founder Troy Carlson. “With so much momentum happening here in the district, The Paperworks building filled with local merchants and our new exhibition space add even more energy that elevate the visitor experience to entirely new levels of engagement.”
The Paperworks
Located adjacent to Stage Nine family of premier entertainment retail stores, The Paperworks is a 26,000 square-foot completely renovated building dedicated to craft, culture, and hands-on experiences. Rooted in the building’s heritage and designed for modern makers, The Paperworks offers visitors with opportunities to explore workshops, specialty retail, and thoughtfully curated events and traveling exhibitions in an environment that honors the past while building something new.
The Paperworks building is currently home to the following local businesses, many of which are owned by first-time entrepreneurs:
Underground Level (entrance in Firehouse Alley)
- Back Door Lounge — open
Street Level (entrance on Front Street)
- Big VIP Clothing – open
- Carnal Flora – opens August 2
- DearSisa Boutique – open
- EcoPress Sacramento – opens June 27
- Panopoly Fine Art – opens June 27
- The Paperworks Shop – opens June 22
- Wanderland Gift Shop – open
- Wild Sisters Book Co. – opens June 27
Upper Level (via stairs or elevator with wheelchair access from Front Street entrance)
- Exhibition space debuts with Death by Natural Causes – opens June 27
Death by Natural Causes Exhibition
A captivating, family-friendly experience created by Houston Museum of Natural Science and Stage 9 Exhibits, Death by Natural Causes takes visitors on a fascinating exploration of the natural world’s most unexpected and often misunderstood dangers.
From brightly colored creatures and sweet-smelling plants to everyday materials we encounter without a second thought, this exhibition reveals how nature can be both beautiful and dangerous. Visitors meet the “malefactors” that quietly do the Grim Reaper’s work — disguised in unassuming forms that challenge assumptions and spark curiosity. Through a compelling combination of authentic specimens, immersive graphics, and hands-on interactives, guests explore the science behind what can cause harm — directly or indirectly — in the world around them. Concepts such as poisonous, venomous, and toxic are clearly explained, while urban legends and old wives’ tales are thoughtfully debunked using real scientific evidence. The experience unfolds across five visually rich thematic zones, featuring surprising specimens and familiar examples, including mushrooms, snakes, spiders, and even common foods. These everyday touchpoints create strong emotional engagement and make complex science approachable for a wide range of audiences.
Equal parts intriguing and educational, Death by Natural Causes encourages visitors to confront their fears, question assumptions, and look more closely at the natural world beneath their feet, all while supporting institutional goals around STEM learning, natural history interpretation, and family engagement.
Open daily and appropriate for ages 8 and above, advance tickets are recommended; walk-ins are welcome as space allows. Death by Natural Causes will remain on display in The Paperworks through January 3, 2027.
“We’re excited to bring this project to fruition and it’s important to note this is Sacramento’s first Class A traveling exhibition space equipped to bring top-tier, large scale exhibitions to the Capital City such as Titanic, King Tut and Spider-Man, just to name a few,” added Carlson.
For more information about The Paperworks building located at the Old Sacramento Waterfront, please visit www.thepaperworksoldsac.com. For more information about and/or to book Death By Natural Causes, please visit www.stage9exhibits.com/death-by-natural-causes.
And, for more about Stage Nine Entertainment, Inc., Stage Nine Family of Specialty Retail Stores, or booking The Underground Vault event space, please call 916-447-3623 or visit www.stagenine.com.
