The Florida Museum of Natural History, located in Gainesville, Florida, is one of the largest and most comprehensive natural history museums in the world. The museum houses more than 30 million specimens and artifacts, making it one of the largest collections in the United States. The museum is a center for research and education on the state’s natural environment and its people.
The museum was founded in 1891 by Dr. Frederick Cushing Bartlett, a Yale-educated surgeon who came to Florida to practice medicine. Bartlett donated his personal collection of fossils and minerals to the University of Florida, which established the museum to house them. Since then, the museum has grown exponentially through acquisitions and donations from individuals, organizations, and institutions around the world.
Today, the Florida Museum of Natural History is home to many unique exhibits that tell the story of Florida’s natural history from prehistoric times to present day. Visitors can see fossils of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals; view live animals in natural habitats; learn about Native Americans and early settlers; explore ecosystems; discover how plants and animals adapt to changing environments; and much more. In addition to its exhibitions, the museum offers a variety of public programs such as lectures, workshops, camps, field trips, and special events for all ages