Grand opening celebrates Idaho Museum of Natural History affiliate at University of Idaho

MOSCOW, Idaho — University of Idaho will host a public grand opening and ribbon cutting 1-2 p.m. Thursday, March 26, in the Mines Building to celebrate the launch of the North Idaho affiliate of the Idaho Museum of Natural History (IMNH). This will expand natural history exhibit spaces on the Moscow campus and bring more of Idaho’s natural heritage — including one of North America’s premier fossil leaf collections — into publicly accessible learning environments.

Housed in University of Idaho’s College of Science, the affiliate — created through a formal partnership between U of I and Idaho State University — serves as a regional hub for community access, student learning and Idaho-based research.

Displays are being developed across the Mines Building and McClure Hall, with a long-term goal of activating the spaces between the two facilities. The first exhibit, located in the basement foyer of McClure Hall, is already open. Welcoming remarks during the March 26 event will begin at 1:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Mines Building. The event is free and open to the public.

The affiliation shines a spotlight on University of Idaho’s earth science holdings, including the Smiley Paleobotany Collection, one of the most significant fossil leaf collections in North America, along with the Williams Geological Teaching Collection and the Gunter Mineralogy Collection. Together, the holdings form one of the most comprehensive natural history collections in the region.

“This museum strengthens the connection between our collections, our research and the public we serve,” said Alistair Smith, chair of the Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences. “It creates new opportunities for students and community members to engage with Idaho’s natural heritage and deepens our commitment to education and outreach.”

Ginger E. Carney, dean of the College of Science, emphasized the education and research value of the collaboration, noting that the museum broadens research and education in the earth and life sciences while expanding public access to state collections.

The North Idaho affiliate builds upon the Pocatello-based museum’s statewide outreach efforts, including mobile education programs that bring hands-on exhibits and classroom experiences to communities across Idaho.

For more information, visit uidaho.edu/north-idaho-museum-natural-history.

Media contact

Alistair Smith
Director (interim), University of Idaho Museum of Natural History
University of Idaho College of Science
208-885-1009
alistair@uidaho.edu