Idaho Museum of Natural History facts for kids
The Idaho Museum of Natural History on the ISU Campus
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| Established | 1934 |
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| Location | Pocatello, Idaho, United States |
| Type | Natural history museum |
The Idaho Museum of Natural History (IMNH) is Idaho's official state museum for natural history. You can find it on the campus of Idaho State University (ISU) in Pocatello. The museum started in 1934. It holds amazing collections about people (anthropology), ancient animals (paleontology), rocks and earth (earth science), and living things (life sciences). It also has old documents and photos of different cultures.
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Discover the Museum's History
The Idaho Museum of Natural History began in 1934. A group of professors and researchers wanted to collect and show Idaho's natural and cultural treasures. It was first called the Historical Museum at the Southern Branch of the University of Idaho.
When it first opened, the museum had about 5,000 items. Most of these were artifacts about people and history. They were given by the Pocatello Chamber of Commerce, university staff, and supporters.
In the mid-1950s, the museum changed its name to the Idaho State College Museum. Then, in 1963, Idaho State College became Idaho State University. So, the museum's name changed again to the Idaho State University Museum.
In 1977, the museum started focusing more on natural history. Many collections, like plants and animals, moved from the university's science department to the museum. The museum also received historical items from other Idaho historical groups.
Later in 1977, Idaho's Governor John V. Evans officially named it the Idaho Museum of Natural History (IMNH). In 1986, the Idaho State Legislature confirmed IMNH as Idaho's official state natural history museum.
What is the Museum's Goal?
The Idaho Museum of Natural History helps people understand and enjoy Idaho's natural and cultural past. As the state's official natural history museum, it collects, protects, studies, and displays natural and cultural items. It does this for people in Idaho, visitors, and students worldwide. The museum also helps other natural history museums in Idaho.
Explore the Museum's Collections
IMNH has over 500,000 items in its collections! The museum gathers and keeps records of Idaho's natural history. Its collections are split into three main areas: anthropology, earth sciences, and life sciences. Most of the items were found and studied by students and staff from Idaho State University.
Anthropology: The Study of People
Anthropology is the study of humans. It looks at different cultures, archaeology (studying old things), languages, and how humans have changed over time. The anthropology collection at IMNH focuses on Idaho. It includes human artifacts from the end of the Ice Age in Idaho to modern beadwork. These collections offer many ways to learn about human history.
Earth Science: Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils
The earth science collection focuses on the natural history of rocks, minerals, and fossils. These items help us study paleontology (ancient life), geology (the Earth's structure), and paleobotany (ancient plants). You can also learn about comparative osteology, which is comparing bones.
Life Science: Plants and Animals
The life science collection covers many studies of living things. This includes plants, animals, and even humans. The museum's life science collection is one of the most complete in Idaho. The Ray J. Davis Herbarium has over 70,000 pressed plants, mosses, fungi, and lichens. The animal collection includes about 1,200 mammals, 1,800 birds, 2,500 reptiles, and 1,000 fish.
Discover the Museum's Exhibits
IMNH exhibits come directly from the museum's collections. They help tell the story of the natural and cultural history of the area.
Anthropology Exhibits: Idaho's People
The anthropology exhibits show the people of Idaho, both from the past and today. They show how Idaho's people lived, survived, and used the land, ecosystems, and geology. These exhibits include cultural items, archaeological finds, copies of artifacts, old and new photos, and audio recordings in several Native Idahoan languages.
Earth Science Exhibits: Ancient Idaho
The Earth Science exhibits teach us about Idaho's geology, ancient animal tracks, and Ice-age megafauna (giant animals). The Idaho Geology exhibits display many items, from minerals to fossils. You can learn about Idaho's geology through hands-on activities. Trackways exhibits show ancient footprints left in sandstone by animals. These footprints include those from spiders, dinosaurs, and early mammals. The Ice-age Megafauna exhibits show the area's fossil history. You can see skeletons of huge prehistoric creatures like saber-tooth cats, giant bison, and the Hagerman horse.
Life Science Exhibits: Idaho's Living World
The Life Science exhibits highlight the many different plants (flora) and animals (fauna) of the Snake River plains. Some items on display include various rodents, like flying squirrels, kangaroo rats, beavers, and marmots. You can also see owls and sage grouse. The exhibits also show a diverse collection of native reptiles, amphibians, and fish from Southern Idaho. Finally, the Ray J. Davis Herbarium allows IMNH to display a wide range of native plants, some of which are now extinct. Plants on display include the yellow glacier lily, camas, syringe, and many more.
How Idaho State University Helps
The IMNH was created to help people understand Idaho's natural history. It collects, protects, studies, and displays natural history items. It also provides educational services for Idaho residents and visitors. The museum also supports other local natural history museums throughout Idaho.
IMNH is also important for learning. It gives students the chance to do research on many of the items in the museum's collection.
