Puget Sound Museum of Natural History, Natural history museum at University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, United States.
The Puget Sound Museum of Natural History is a university museum in Tacoma that holds over 100,000 specimens including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, plants, and rock samples. The collection serves primarily as a research and teaching resource.
The museum was established in 1926 starting with reptile and amphibian specimens that grew into the second largest reptile collection in Washington State. This focus shaped the institution from its beginning.
The museum hosts special nights where preserved specimens are displayed alongside living animals from the local zoo, creating opportunities for visitors to learn about regional wildlife. These events bring together research collections and direct animal encounters in one space.
Access requires advance scheduling through email since space and staff availability are limited. Contact the museum ahead of time to arrange a suitable visit.
The museum holds the second largest bird wing collection in the world, with digital images accessible through an online database maintained by the university. Researchers and enthusiasts can study this collection remotely.
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