University of Kansas Natural History Museum

The University of Kansas Natural History Museum is located in Dyche Hall and displays collections of plants, animals, fossils, and archaeological objects. The four-story building was constructed with local Oread limestone and presents specimens from different climates and time periods.

The building was constructed in 1903 in Richardsonian Romanesque style and used local limestone as its primary material. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and is now recognized as a historic landmark in Kansas.

The museum displays objects important to local and regional history, including artifacts from prehistoric cultures of the Great Plains. Visitors can explore the material culture of various peoples in the region and understand how communities lived in this landscape.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from noon to 4 PM with free admission. The path through the four floors is straightforward, with collections clearly organized for easy navigation.

The museum houses the Panorama of North American Wildlife, a diorama display originally presented at the 1893 World's Exposition. This rare exhibition shows habitats from arctic tundra to rainforest with remarkable attention to detail.

Location: Lawrence

Inception: 1901

Architectural style: Richardsonian Romanesque

Floors above the ground: 4

Part of: University of Kansas Historic District

Address: 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard

Website: https://biodiversity.ku.edu

GPS coordinates: 38.95861,-95.24389

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:07