![Close up of marine reptile fossil jaw of a mosasaur on left, facing another mosasaur on right](/sites/biodiversity/files/styles/21_9_placeholder_/public/images/2021/Mosasaur-fossil-hall-lg_0.jpg?h=531982f7&itok=cSCYxBua)
Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum
We are a biodiversity research institute and a public natural history museum. We study past and present life on Earth to educate, engage and inspire.
Natural History Museum
Museum Hours & Admission
Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm
Sunday, 12pm-4pm
Closed on Mondays
Free admission, suggested donation of $7 for adults, $4 for children. All proceeds support the museum.
Sunday, 12pm-4pm
Closed on Mondays
Free admission, suggested donation of $7 for adults, $4 for children. All proceeds support the museum.
Location & Contact Information
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Blvd
Lawrence, KS 66045
Phone: 785-864-4450
Email: biodiversity@ku.edu
1345 Jayhawk Blvd
Lawrence, KS 66045
Phone: 785-864-4450
Email: biodiversity@ku.edu
Membership
Support the KU Natural History Museum with a Museum Membership and enjoy benefits at the museum and at 300+ institutions around the country!
Natural History Mystery Game
Like puzzles and games? Book a time to experience the new Natural History Mystery Game at the museum for your group! The 1-hour adventure can be booked by calling Visitor Services at 785-864-4450 or emailing nhmvs@ku.edu.
Natural History Museum
The KU Natural History Museum is home to four floors of public exhibits including the historic Panorama, live snakes and insects, vertebrate and invertebrate fossils, flora and fauna of the Great Plains and much more.
![Boy looking at biodiversity exhibit with various specimens including a cheetah with its mouth open](/sites/biodiversity/files/images/2020/nhm_0.jpg)
Biodiversity Institute
The KU Biodiversity Institute is an internationally recognized center for research and graduate student education in evolutionary biology, systematics and biodiversity informatics, with curated collections of over 10 million plant, animal and fossil specimens and 2 million cultural artifacts.
![Four researchers gathered around herpetology collection specimens](/sites/biodiversity/files/images/2020/herpetology_0.jpg)
Upcoming Events
Education & Outreach
![Two students pouring liquid for an experiment](/sites/biodiversity/files/images/2023/DNA_option%5B27773%5D.jpg)
School Programs
![Univ 101 Tour of Natural History Museum](/sites/biodiversity/files/images/2021/34869082786_643236beee_c.jpeg)
Student & Faculty Programs
![Scout group with museum staff and 6 youth in front of the silvisaurus dinosaur exhibit](/sites/biodiversity/files/images/2022/scout%20program.jpg)
Scout Programs
News
![](/sites/biodiversity/files/styles/wide_col_lg_6/public/images/2024/Untitled%20design.png?h=08f7ec11&itok=U4BdjahS)
New book gathers insights, methods from rising generation of Indigenous archaeologists
LAWRENCE — A new book co-edited by a University of Kansas scholar that collects the experiences and know-how of younger Indigenous archaeologists, titled “Indigenizing Archaeology: Putting Theory into Practice,” will be published today
![](/sites/biodiversity/files/styles/wide_col_lg_6/public/images/2024/01hsy89d7tg9g7ke000kb1qw0c.jpg?h=c74750f6&itok=ohei5zVO)
KU names new director to lead Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum
Arizona State University researcher Nico Franz will begin his new
![](/sites/biodiversity/files/styles/wide_col_lg_6/public/images/Maroon%20and%20White%20Photo%20Heavy%20FaminePoverty%20Crisis%20Hub%20Facebook%20Post%20%281200%20x%20700%20px%29%20%281200%20x%20641%20px%29.png?h=d269b4cb&itok=cc7GP5-s)
Rice paddy snake diversification was driven by geological and environmental factors in Thailand, molecular data suggests
A University of Kansas study of rice paddy snakes in Southeast Asi
![](/sites/biodiversity/files/styles/wide_col_lg_6/public/images/2024/Untitled%20%281141%20x%201080%20px%29_1.png?h=d034a731&itok=iiA9DeHH)
Collection Managers Mark Robbins and Luke Welton co-author BioScience Publication on openVertebrate Project
For six years, a team of researchers from 18 different institutions has worked on increasing the impact and accessibility of vertebrate scientific collections through 3D imaging.
Support the Museum
The KU Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum relies on your support to fund its programs, events, exhibits and more.