Natural History Museum in Arcata, Humboldt County, United States | Museum

The mission of the Humboldt State University Natural History Museum in Arcata, United States, through its collections, exhibits, and programs, is to inspire in North Coast residents and visitors of all ages an understanding and appreciation of the dynamic natural world and to provide a learning laboratory for Humboldt State University students.

The HSU Natural History Museum was created in 1986 after the University purchased a collection of world-class fossils at the same time that a Wells Fargo Bank building close to campus in Arcata was donated to the University. The fossils were the collection of fossil brokers Hilda and Tom Maloney of Willows, California. The Maloneys wanted their collection to be displayed and used for educational purposes, not simply stored for research, as larger Museums had proposed. The 2000+ specimen collection was purchased with State Lottery Funds.

Generous donations were made from companies and foundations to get the Natural History Museum ready to open. The Katherine L. Morningstar Trust gave $150,000 to the University to provide an endowment. The Humboldt Area Foundation donated $45,000 to help with building renovation and construction of the display cases. The Natural History Museum was opened to the public on April 26, 1989.

Natural History Museum planning and much of the design of the original fossil exhibits was done by members of the steering committee made up primarily of HSU faculty and staff. The Museum Store was also organized by this group in consultation with other professional Museum store managers. Subsequent exhibits focusing on local natural history have been added (approximately two per year)with funding from grants and corporate donations. Design, graphics and construction of exhibits has largely been accomplished by Natural History  Museum staff and volunteers.