Museum of Natural History, Pocatello, ID

Visitors to Pocatello, Idaho will enjoy seeing the Museum of Natural History. The museum features exhibits and collections of anthropology, earth science, vertebrate paleontology and the life sciences. There are archives that hold documents as well as ethnographic photographs.

Researchers study the collections and publish their findings in museum sponsored publications and outside publications too. The Stirton - Kelson Library is part of the Idaho Museum of Natural History that concentrates on archaeological and paleontological holdings. This facility is part of the Idaho State University's Eli M. Oboler Library.

There are permanent displays in the museum as well as special offerings. If visitors are interested in learning more there are educational classes available for children, adults and families.

The cost of admission is five dollars for adults, four dollars for seniors (55+), three dollars for students with a valid ID, children four through eleven are two dollars and children less than four are free. Admission is also free for all museum members. Triple A members receive a dollar off of the admission price.

Hours of operation for the museum are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. They are closed on major holidays throughout the year. The museum is on the campus of Idaho State University. Visitors should look for 5th Avenue and Dillon Street, then find Idaho State University Building number twelve, Room 205C.

There is a handicap accessible entrance from the lower Quadrangle. Once inside there are elevators. If guests need a wheelchair they have some available at the Museum Admissions desk.

Some of the exhibits at the museum could include The Art of Paleontology which features art work by Paleoartist Mark Hallett. There is a bronze casting of saber tooth cats attacking a Bison latifrons in the center of the gallery.

Fish hatcheries play a prominent role in Idaho, and the celebration of one hundred years of the legislation that created the first fish hatchery in Idaho is represented in the display "A Century of Fish Hatcheries''.

There were dinosaurs that have been found in Idaho and there is an exhibit that shows who they were, how they were related to other dinosaurs and what Idaho looked like when they roamed the State. The exhibit has dioramas, murals and real fossils.

A Columbian Mammoth was discovered in Northern Idaho and there is an exhibit that displays the remains. The paleontologists found the mammoth during the 1994 and 1995 expeditions. Since parts of the mammoth were found in Tolo Lake that is the name of this exhibit.

The Living off the Land display shows how the Native peoples survived. The tools, clothing, food and shelters are part of this exhibit. There are some artifacts that have never been seen before as well as objects created by them.

There are many places to stay when visiting the Museum of Natural History. There are many large chain hotels and some unique establishments like the Black Swan Inn that features fourteen themed rooms. Dining is available near the lodgings.