The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History announced recently it will open the second half of the museum, adding new exhibits and labs for visitors on Nov. 10.
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The museum, part of LSA, unveiled its new home inside the $261 million, 312,000-square-foot Biological Sciences Building in April after calling the Ruthven Building home since 1928.
In November, the museum adds even more to explore with three new exhibits:
- An interactive journey through life’s building blocks as seen in “Under the Microscope,” including a giant, walk-in model of a cell.
- The “Exploring Michigan” gallery highlighting our state’s natural history with life-size dioramas and hands-on activities.
- “People and the Planet,” an in-depth look at how the natural world has shaped human culture and how humans impact our natural world.
Research stations throughout the museum will offer a look into the latest findings from U-M scientists.
In two new public Investigate Labs, visitors can take an active role in scientific inquiry.
In the Nature lab, guests can explore various natural phenomena and examine parts of the collection in close detail to learn about the natural world. In the Micro Worlds lab, visitors can use microscopes and other tools to examine parts of our world that are too small to see with the naked eye.
Both labs will allow participants to learn about historical breakthroughs and contemporary discoveries in research.
These new exhibits join the museum’s iconic mastodon couple, prehistoric whale skeletons and touchable T. Rex skull, along with its comprehensive evolution exhibit spanning 4 billion years of life on Earth.
New features already introduced include:
- A 25-foot Quetzalcoatlus pterosaur soaring high in a five-story atrium.
- A high-tech planetarium and dome theater.
- An interactive, multimedia Tree of Life display that illustrates how all living things are connected.
- A Fossil Prep Lab, where visitors can observe fossils being readied for study and display.
- The Student Showcase, which features research projects from U-M undergraduate students across disciplines.
“It’s been so exciting to share our new home, galleries and programming with the community,” said Amy Harris, director of the museum. “Now we can’t wait for visitors to experience the rest of what we have in store.
“These hands-on labs and exhibits are unlike anything the museum has been able to offer before, but we’ve also stayed true to our roots, highlighting our state’s own rich natural history.”
The museum will be closed to the public Nov. 9 for a private preview event for members and donors. A U-M student event is planned for Nov. 15. The museum’s origins date back to the university’s first natural history collections, which were founded in 1837. U-M’s collections have been on public display since 1841. The museum has welcomed more than 100,000 visitors since it reopened in April. Located at 1105 N. University Ave., it is free for individuals and families.
