University of Michigan Museum of Natural History

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, and is part of the University of Michigan. The museum was founded by Joseph Whiting and has a long history of paleontology research, with notable contributions from Ernst Haeckel, Charles Darwin, and Henry Fairfield Osborn. The museum is also affiliated with the American Museum of Natural History, Field Museum of Natural History, and Smithsonian Institution. The museum's collections and exhibits are visited by thousands of people each year, including students from University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Eastern Michigan University.

● History

The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History was established in 1837 by Joseph Whiting, with the goal of promoting the study of natural history and science education. The museum's early collections included specimens from Africa, Asia, and Europe, donated by explorers such as David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley. The museum's first director was Alexander Winchell, who played a key role in developing the museum's paleontology and geology collections, with contributions from Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope. The museum has also been associated with notable figures such as Theodore Roosevelt, John James Audubon, and Louis Agassiz, and has collaborated with institutions like the National Geographic Society, American Museum of Natural History, and British Museum.

● Collections

The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History has an extensive collection of over 30 million specimens, including fossils from Dinosauria, Mammalia, and Aves, as well as minerals and rocks from around the world, such as those from Mount Everest, Grand Canyon, and Sahara Desert. The museum's collections also include a vast array of insects, plants, and animals from Amazon rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, and Serengeti National Park. The museum's herbarium is one of the largest in the world, with over 1.5 million plant specimens, including those from Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, New York Botanical Garden, and Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. The museum's collections are used by researchers from Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Oxford for studies on biodiversity, ecology, and evolutionary biology, and have contributed to the work of organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and National Park Service.

● Exhibits

The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History features a range of exhibits that showcase the natural world, including a dinosaur exhibit with a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, a planetarium with shows on astronomy and space exploration, and a hands-on exhibit on science and technology developed in collaboration with MIT Museum, Science Museum, London, and Deutsches Museum. The museum also has exhibits on Michigan's natural history, including the state's geology, wildlife, and Native American cultures, with contributions from Michigan State University Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts, and Toledo Museum of Art. The museum's exhibits are designed to be interactive and engaging, with activities and programs for visitors of all ages, including those developed in partnership with National Science Foundation, NASA, and European Space Agency.

● Research and Education

The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is a leading center for research and education in the natural sciences, with a focus on biodiversity, ecology, and evolutionary biology. The museum's researchers collaborate with scientists from Stanford University, University of Cambridge, and Australian National University on projects such as species discovery and conservation biology, and have worked with organizations like the World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, and International Council for Science. The museum also offers a range of educational programs for students from University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Eastern Michigan University, including field courses and research internships developed in collaboration with National Geographic Society, American Museum of Natural History, and Field Museum of Natural History. The museum's education programs are designed to promote science literacy and critical thinking, and have been recognized by National Science Foundation, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and European Association for Science Centers and Museums.

● Building and Facilities

The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is located in the Biological Sciences Building on the University of Michigan campus, with state-of-the-art facilities for research, education, and exhibition. The museum's building features a range of sustainable design elements, including green roofs and energy-efficient systems, developed in collaboration with US Green Building Council, American Institute of Architects, and Royal Institute of British Architects. The museum also has a range of facilities for visitors, including a gift shop and cafe, with products and services provided by University of Michigan Press, Michigan State University Press, and Eastern Michigan University Press. The museum's building and facilities are designed to be accessible and welcoming to visitors of all ages and abilities, with features such as wheelchair accessibility and audio descriptions developed in partnership with National Federation of the Blind, American Council of the Blind, and Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund.