University of Michigan Museum of Natural History, Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History offers visitors a wide-ranging look at prehistoric life, Michigan鈥檚 biodiversity, and global cultures through its scientifically grounded exhibits. Operated by the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, the museum reopened in 2019 in the Biological Sciences Building after relocating from the historic Ruthven Museums Building. Although its public museum was officially established in 1956, the university鈥檚 natural history collections date back to 1837, with the first exhibits opening to the public in 1881.
Spanning over 45,000 square feet, the museum provides free admission and houses several permanent galleries. The Hall of Evolution contains one of Michigan鈥檚 largest displays of fossils and models, featuring dinosaurs, ancient whales, and mastodons. The Michigan Wildlife Gallery showcases native birds, mammals, reptiles, and fungi from the Great Lakes region, including the world鈥檚 largest mastodon trackway on display. Other floors explore geology and anthropology, with mineral specimens and cultural artifacts from various parts of the world.
The museum's early home, the University Museums Building, was completed in 1928 and included collections from anthropology, paleontology, zoology, and botany. In 1940, two terrazzo puma sculptures were added to the building's entrance, designed by Carleton W. Angell and cast by the Works Progress Administration. The building was later renamed in honor of Alexander G. Ruthven, a former museum director and university president.
Today, visitors can also view rotating exhibits such as "The Invisible World of Mites," as well as displays on evolution, health, and archaeological research, all integrated into the museum鈥檚 updated facilities.
Spanning over 45,000 square feet, the museum provides free admission and houses several permanent galleries. The Hall of Evolution contains one of Michigan鈥檚 largest displays of fossils and models, featuring dinosaurs, ancient whales, and mastodons. The Michigan Wildlife Gallery showcases native birds, mammals, reptiles, and fungi from the Great Lakes region, including the world鈥檚 largest mastodon trackway on display. Other floors explore geology and anthropology, with mineral specimens and cultural artifacts from various parts of the world.
The museum's early home, the University Museums Building, was completed in 1928 and included collections from anthropology, paleontology, zoology, and botany. In 1940, two terrazzo puma sculptures were added to the building's entrance, designed by Carleton W. Angell and cast by the Works Progress Administration. The building was later renamed in honor of Alexander G. Ruthven, a former museum director and university president.
Today, visitors can also view rotating exhibits such as "The Invisible World of Mites," as well as displays on evolution, health, and archaeological research, all integrated into the museum鈥檚 updated facilities.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Ann Arbor. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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University of Michigan Museum of Natural History on Map
Sight Name: University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
Sight Location: Ann Arbor, USA (See walking tours in Ann Arbor)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ann Arbor, USA (See walking tours in Ann Arbor)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Create Your Own Walk in Ann Arbor
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ann Arbor is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
University of Michigan Walking Tour
Ann Arbor is a home to the sprawling University of Michigan 鈥� one of America鈥檚 best public educational institutions, attracting top students and faculty from all over the world.
Founded in 1817 in Detroit as the University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state, this university is Michigan's oldest. The school was moved to Ann Arbor in 1837. Among its alumni there... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Founded in 1817 in Detroit as the University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state, this university is Michigan's oldest. The school was moved to Ann Arbor in 1837. Among its alumni there... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Ann Arbor's Historical Buildings
Founded in the 1820s and centered on the University of Michigan, the city of Ann Arbor boasts hundreds of splendid buildings, many of which are included in the National Register. The U-M campus itself was registered as Historic District in 1978.
The abundance of down-home charm, especially in the historic district, is richly complemented by plethora of time-tested architectural landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
The abundance of down-home charm, especially in the historic district, is richly complemented by plethora of time-tested architectural landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Ann Arbor Introduction Walking Tour
A western exurb of Detroit, the charming green college town of Ann Arbor possesses a unique charm and down-home atmosphere 鈥� a combination of big-city amenities and a small-town vibe.
It started off as a small strip of land registered in 1825 as "Annarbour", named after the wives of its co-founders, both called Ann, and the stands of bur oak trees. Following the move of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
It started off as a small strip of land registered in 1825 as "Annarbour", named after the wives of its co-founders, both called Ann, and the stands of bur oak trees. Following the move of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles