Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the American Museum of Natural History is not only one of the largest museums in the country; it is one of the largest museums in the world. It is made up of 27 interconnected buildings and 45 permanent exhibition halls, as well as a planetarium, and a library. It isn’t difficult to see why it averages almost five million visits annually. While they aren’t all on display at all times, the museum collections contain over 32 million specimens, from plants to human cultural artifacts and everything in between.
The Halls
The main attraction of the museum are its many ‘Halls’ or themed rooms full of artifacts and specimens. Among these are:
- African Mammal Hall. Since its opening in 2936 this Hall has been considered one of the world’s greatest museum displays. The dioramas in this Hall do more than just evoke specific sites. They replicate specific animals in specific locations at specific times, with a detail that had never before been seen, and which has resulted in realistic, vivid reproductions.
- Bernard and Anne Spitzer Hall of Human Origins. The Hall of Human Origins, once known as the Hall of human Biology and Evolution, this hall presents an in-depth investigation of human evolution. When it was first opened, it was the only major exhibition of its kind, and it continues to be one of the best there is.
- Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. The most notable exhibit in this hall is the 94 foot long blue whale model, suspended from the ceiling. There are many other notable exhibits, such as the Andros Coral Reef Diorama, but since it appeared in 1969 the blue whale has captured the attention of anyone who walks into the Hall.
- Fossil Halls. The fossil collection of the museum is incredibly extensive. Just the small fraction that is open to the public covers the entire fourth floor, as well as a separate exhibit in the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall, which is the museum’s main entrance.
Rose Center and the Planetarium
The Hayden Planetarium is one of the most popular exhibits in the Rose Center. The Original Planetarium was founded in 1933, but was demolished and replaced in 2000. The building consists of a six-story high glass cube enclosing an 87 foot illuminated sphere. This sphere is supported by truss work, but it appears to float, and has been referred to as a ‘cosmic cathedral’.
Research Library
The museum isn’t only about exhibits; it also contains an extensive research library, open to staff and public visitors. The library collects a vast amount of materials and contains many retrospective materials, some going back to the 15th century, that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere.
Renowned not only in New York, but also in the world, it is easy to see why this museum attracts millions of visitors every year. It is a fun and educational place to visit, full of exhibits that entice the mind and tickle the imagination, sparking a desire to learn more about the amazing things seen within the Halls of the museum.