Bell Museum of Natural History
Bell Museum of Natural History, Natural history museum at University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States.
The Bell Museum is a natural history institution at the University of Minnesota holding more than 4 million specimens including birds, mammals, plants, and fungi from the region. The building also features a Touch & See Lab where visitors can examine ancient fossils and living specimens.
The collection was established by state legislation in 1872 and served the university's scientific work for many decades. It moved to its current building in 2018.
The museum displays detailed dioramas of Minnesota habitats showing moose, elk, bears, and beavers in their natural settings. Visitors can observe how these scenes were carefully crafted to recreate what the landscape once looked like.
The building is accessible during regular visiting hours and offers guided tours along with workshops led by natural scientists. Visitors should plan time to explore the different exhibition areas and try the hands-on lab.
The planetarium uses advanced laser projection technology to present programs about space and the cosmos. This equipment allows for immersive shows that teach astronomy in innovative ways.
Location: Falcon Heights
Inception: 1872
Operator: University of Minnesota
Part of: University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Website: http://bellmuseum.umn.edu
GPS coordinates: 44.97780,-93.23330
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04
Minnesota contains numerous locations away from the main tourist circuits. The state stretches from the shores of Lake Superior to the southern prairies, encompassing historic lighthouses, underground mines, waterfalls, and Japanese gardens. Visitors find both natural landscapes and cultural sites that tell the story of the region's history. Notable locations include prehistoric rock carvings at Jeffers Petroglyphs Site, where indigenous peoples left their marks thousands of years ago, and sacred trees of Ojibwe culture. The geological formation known as Devil's Kettle, a waterfall whose course puzzled scientists for years, attracts visitors interested in natural phenomena. Historic mines provide insight into Minnesota's industrial past, while lighthouses recall the maritime history along the largest of the Great Lakes.
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