Connecticut State Museum of Natural History facts for kids
| Established | 1985 |
|---|---|
| Location | Storrs, Connecticut, US |
| Type | Natural history museum |
The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History (CSMNH) is a special place in Storrs, Connecticut. It is part of the University of Connecticut. This museum became Connecticut's official natural history museum in 1985. It helps us learn about nature and the past.
Contents
Amazing Collections: What the Museum Keeps
The museum takes care of many cool things. These are called its collections. They include objects from nature and old human history. Most items come from Connecticut, but some are from other places.
Natural History Treasures
The museum has over 6,000 natural history items. You can find fossils, shiny minerals, and seashells. There are also preserved insects, birds, and even mammals. One very famous item is the "Pope Mastodon." This is a huge, almost complete skeleton of a mastodon. It was found in 1913 and is one of the biggest in New England!
Exploring Ancient History: Archaeology
The museum is also home to the Office of State Archaeology. This office holds the largest collection of Connecticut's archaeological finds. Archaeology is the study of human history through digging up old objects. This collection covers one million years of human life and culture. It includes ancient stone tools and items made by Native Americans from Connecticut.
Museum's Journey: A Look at Its History
The University of Connecticut started the idea for the museum in 1982. By 1985, it officially became the State Museum of Natural History. It opened its doors to visitors that same year.
The Founder: Carl Rettenmeyer
A biology professor named Carl Rettenmeyer was key to starting the museum. He was its first director until he retired in 1996. The museum moved into its first permanent home in 2000. This building was on Hillside Road at the UConn campus.
A New Chapter: No Main Building
In 2016, the museum's main exhibit spaces on Hillside Road closed. The building was then used for university offices. Some people, like the student newspaper The Daily Campus, were sad about this. They felt a museum should have a physical space to visit.
Even without a main building, the museum is still active. It continues to care for its collections. It also offers educational programs and events for the community. The museum creates special exhibits that are shown in different places on the UConn campus.
Future Plans: A New Environmental Center
As of 2023, there are exciting plans for the museum's future. The University of Connecticut wants to create a new "Living Building." This will be a special environmental center. The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History is planned to be a main part of this new center.
