Peabody Museum of Natural History

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The Peabody Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum located on the Yale University campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1866, it is one of the oldest and largest natural history museums in the world. The museum is renowned for its extensive collections, engaging exhibits, and significant contributions to the fields of paleontology, anthropology, and geology.

History

The Peabody Museum of Natural History was founded by philanthropist George Peabody, who donated $150,000 to Yale University for the establishment of the museum. The museum's first director was Othniel Charles Marsh, a prominent paleontologist known for his discoveries of dinosaur fossils in the late 19th century.

Collections

The museum's collections encompass over 13 million specimens and artifacts, making it one of the most comprehensive natural history collections in the United States. Key areas of the collection include:

• Paleontology: The museum houses an extensive collection of fossils, including the famous Brontosaurus and Stegosaurus skeletons.
• Anthropology: The museum's anthropology collection includes artifacts from ancient civilizations, such as the Inca, Maya, and Aztec cultures.
• Mineralogy and Petrology: The museum's mineral and rock collections feature specimens from around the world, including rare and valuable minerals.

Exhibits

The Peabody Museum of Natural History features several permanent and temporary exhibits. Notable permanent exhibits include:

• The Great Hall of Dinosaurs, which showcases the museum's impressive dinosaur skeletons and murals by artist Rudolph Zallinger.
• The Hall of Native American Cultures, which displays artifacts and information about the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
• The Hall of Minerals, Earth, and Space, which explores the geological history of the Earth and the universe.

Research and Education

The Peabody Museum of Natural History is a center for scientific research and education. The museum's staff includes leading researchers in various fields of natural history, and the museum collaborates with other institutions on research projects. The museum also offers educational programs for students, teachers, and the general public, including lectures, workshops, and field trips.

Related Pages

• Yale University
• Natural history museum
• Othniel Charles Marsh
• George Peabody
• Paleontology
• Anthropology
• Geology