Idaho Museum of Natural History at University of Idaho

Discover Idaho’s natural history up close

Hosted through the College of Science, The Idaho Museum of Natural History at University of Idaho brings Idaho’s past to life through fossils, minerals, geology exhibits and hands-on learning. The museum brings statewide collections and expertise to northern Idaho.  

Located on University of Idaho’s campus in Moscow, the museum connects visitors of all ages to Idaho’s geology, fossils, minerals and ecosystems through rare specimens and interactive displays.  

By expanding access to science education in North Idaho, the museum helps preserve our shared past and inspire future generations to understand and protect Idaho’s natural heritage.

What you’ll see

• Idaho fossils and ancient life: Explore fossils from the Clarkia fossil beds, including preserved plants, insects and fish from 16 million years ago.
• Minerals and mining history: See thousands of mineral specimens from historic and modern Idaho mining sites.
• Geology of Idaho: Learn how Idaho’s landscapes formed through interactive exhibits and teaching collections.
• Research collections: Delve into the museum’s research collections, housing nearly 100,000 specimens used by students and researchers to study Idaho’s natural history.

Visit the museum

• The museum is located in McClure Hall and the Mines Building on University of Idaho’s Moscow campus.
• Hours
  Open during posted university building hours.
• Admission
  Free and open to the public.
• Group visits
  Email uofi-museum@uidaho.edu to schedule school or community visits.

Exhibits

Exhibits are located throughout McClure Hall and the Mines Building and feature rotating displays on Idaho’s natural history, including fossils, minerals and geology.

Highlights include:

• Fossils from the world-famous Clarkia fossil sites, including plants, fish and insects from 16 million years ago
• More than 63,000 fossil invertebrates
• Over 10,000 mineral specimens from historic and modern Idaho mining sites

These collections let you explore how Idaho’s landscapes formed and how Earth’s climate has changed over time.

Collections

The museum houses some of the region’s most comprehensive natural history collections, supporting student learning, research and public engagement.

Featured collections include:

• Earth Sciences Collection
• Smiley Paleobotany Collection
• Williams Geological Teaching Collection
• Gunter Mineralogy Collection

Together, these collections include nearly 100,000 specimens, giving you plenty to discover about Idaho’s past.

About the museum

The museum on the U of I Moscow campus is the North Idaho affiliate of the Idaho Museum of Natural History. This partnership expands access to exhibits, collections and educational programs across the state while making the most of existing resources.

Our long-term vision is to create connected learning spaces that bring together exhibits, research and hands-on discovery for students, researchers and visitors.

Museum leadership

Alistair Smith
Director (interim), Idaho Museum of Natural History at University of Idaho
Academic Leadership Fellow, Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Initiatives
Professor and Chair, Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences
College of Science
University of Idaho

Leif Tapanila, Ph.D.
Director, Idaho Museum of Natural History
Co-host of The Nature of Idaho

Ginger E. Carney, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Science
University of Idaho