University of Michigan Museum of Natural History | Ann Arbor

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History – Detailed Overview

The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History (UMMNH), located within the Biological Sciences Building (BSB) on the University of Michigan’s central campus in Ann Arbor, is a premier destination for engaging with science, nature, and human history. This modern museum blends public exhibitions with active research and teaching laboratories, offering an immersive and dynamic experience that brings science to life.

Historical Background

The museum traces its origins to 1837, the same year the University of Michigan was founded. Natural history collections were among the university’s first research resources, reflecting a broader national movement to catalog the natural world. Over the years, the museum underwent several transformations:

Originally housed in various university buildings before being consolidated in the Ruthven Museums Building (opened in 1928), where it remained for nearly 90 years.

In 2019, the museum moved to its current home in the Biological Sciences Building, a state-of-the-art facility designed to integrate public engagement with ongoing scientific research.

Building and Design

The Biological Sciences Building, located at 1105 North University Avenue, is a striking modern facility that physically and intellectually integrates the museum with active research labs and classrooms. The museum spans four floors and is strategically designed with transparent glass walls to provide visitors a glimpse into scientific workspaces and labs. Key architectural and functional features include:

Open gallery spaces with high ceilings and natural light.

Visible lab areas, where visitors can observe scientists and students at work.

Interactive digital installations that allow deeper exploration of exhibits.

Flexible exhibit space that accommodates temporary exhibitions and events.

Permanent Exhibits

The museum’s core exhibitions are arranged thematically, each one blending traditional displays (such as fossils and specimens) with hands-on activities and multimedia content. Major galleries include:

1. Exploring Michigan

A deep dive into the ecology and geology of Michigan.

Features specimens of native wildlife, maps, and immersive displays about the Great Lakes and Michigan's unique natural habitats.

Interactive activities let visitors explore watersheds, rock formations, and ecological zones.

2. Evolution: Life Through Time

A dramatic timeline of life on Earth, from the earliest microbes to the rise of mammals and humans.

Key highlights include:

Fossil exhibits from the Cambrian Explosion, Devonian fish, and dinosaur bones.

A full-scale Majungasaurus skeleton, a theropod dinosaur from Madagascar.

Interactive displays explaining natural selection, mutation, and common ancestry.

3. Under the Microscope

Focuses on the cellular and molecular worlds.

Offers engaging content on DNA, proteins, and microscopic life.

Interactive stations where visitors use simulated microscopes to explore living cells and viruses.

4. People and the Planet

Examines the relationship between humans, culture, and nature.

Explores themes of climate change, resource use, and biodiversity loss.

Displays on ancient human history, agriculture, and environmental ethics.

Includes a digital global change model for simulating environmental decisions and outcomes.

5. The Tree of Life

A vibrant, large-scale interactive tree that explores how all living organisms are interconnected.

Allows visitors to trace evolutionary paths between species.

Highlights the incredible biodiversity on Earth and helps visitors understand how classification systems work.

6. Planetarium and Dome Theater

The Digital Dome Theater, located within the museum, hosts daily shows exploring astronomy, biology, and earth science.

Features include:

Full-dome 360° visual experiences on topics like black holes, climate systems, and the solar system.

Special programming for children and adults alike.

The planetarium experience enhances scientific storytelling through immersive technology.

Educational and Public Engagement

UMMNH emphasizes interactive learning and public outreach through a variety of programs:

Science Cafés and lectures for adults on topics ranging from paleontology to climate science.

Discovery Dives and hands-on science labs for children and school groups.

Teacher resources and curriculum-aligned field trips, especially for K–12 students.

Student docents and graduate students often guide activities and answer visitor questions, adding an educational layer to the exhibits.

Research and Collections

Behind the public galleries, the museum is home to millions of specimens used by researchers and students in multiple disciplines:

Vertebrate paleontology, including an extensive fossil record of prehistoric mammals and dinosaurs.

Botany, with regional plant samples and rare species archives.

Entomology, holding diverse insect collections used for evolutionary and ecological studies.

Anthropology, focusing on ancient tools, bones, and cultural artifacts from Michigan and around the world.

These collections are actively used for:

Undergraduate and graduate research.

Collaborative scientific studies across disciplines.

Conservation and environmental modeling efforts.

Visitor Information

Location: Biological Sciences Building, 1105 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI.

Admission: Free (suggested donation encouraged).

Hours: Typically open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but hours can vary seasonally.

Accessibility: Fully ADA-compliant with elevators, family restrooms, and sensory-friendly materials.

Special Events and Temporary Exhibitions

The museum hosts regular rotating exhibits that reflect timely scientific issues or partner with traveling exhibitions from other institutions. Past examples have included:

Fossil-themed showcases.

Climate change installations.

Insect and biodiversity expos.

Collaborative art-science installations.

Events include:

“Scientist in the Forum” days where visitors can speak directly with researchers.

Monthly science nights, planetarium shows, and science communication workshops.

Conclusion

The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is not just a repository of specimens—it is a modern, immersive, and inclusive space where science, education, and community intersect. Whether you're curious about dinosaurs, human evolution, environmental sustainability, or the microscopic world, the museum offers something intellectually engaging and visually compelling for all ages. Its integration with live scientific research makes it uniquely vibrant, allowing the public to witness science not just as a body of knowledge, but as an ongoing, living process.