American Museum of Natural History

Profile narrative

The American Museum of Natural History is a scientific and cultural institution dedicated to the study, exhibition, and education of natural history. It maintains permanent galleries covering topics such as paleontology, anthropology, astronomy, biodiversity, and human origins. The museum offers educational programs for school groups, families, and adults, including lectures, workshops, and citizen science initiatives. It also conducts original research across disciplines like vertebrate paleontology, invertebrate zoology, astrophysics, and conservation biology. Through its publications, online resources, and traveling exhibitions, the museum disseminates knowledge to national and international audiences.

Located in New York City on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the museum occupies a complex of interconnected buildings that house more than forty exhibition halls. It welcomes millions of visitors each year from across the United States and around the world, making it one of the most visited cultural attractions in the city. The institution’s collections encompass tens of millions of specimens, artifacts, and cultural objects, ranging from fossils and minerals to cultural artifacts and astronomical data. Its research staff includes curators, scientists, and postdoctoral fellows who contribute to peer‑reviewed literature and lead field expeditions globally.

The museum is distinguished by its integration of cutting‑edge scientific research with public outreach, maintaining active research divisions in paleontology, anthropology, astrophysics, and earth sciences. It operates the Richard Gilder Graduate School, which offers Ph.D. programs in comparative biology, thereby linking advanced training with museum curation. The museum’s Hayden Planetarium provides immersive space shows that combine astronomy with storytelling. Its special exhibitions often highlight emerging scientific discoveries and contemporary issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss. These attributes position the American Museum of Natural History as a leading institution in both the museum sector and the broader scientific community.

Incidents

1 incident linked to this organisation.