Beneski Museum of Natural History, Amherst College

The Beneski Museum is a natural history collection housed on the Amherst College campus in Massachusetts. Its displays feature fossils, minerals, and preserved animals arranged across multiple galleries and working research areas.

The museum grew from specimens collected by college faculty for teaching purposes over many years. These materials were eventually organized into a public institution that serves students and visitors alike.

This museum shows how natural sciences are practiced within a college community. Students and faculty work directly with the collections, turning storage spaces and display areas into active learning environments.

The museum is located directly on the college campus and can be accessed without difficulty by foot. It is helpful to check opening hours in advance, as times vary seasonally and campus events may affect access.

The collection includes significant dinosaur fossils and rock specimens acquired from field expeditions across multiple continents. Visitors often overlook how these far-flung acquisitions reveal the scope of geological study conducted within a single institution.

Operator: Amherst College

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11:00-16:00; Saturday-Sunday 10:00-17:00

Phone: +4135422165

Website: https://amherst.edu/museums/naturalhistory

GPS coordinates: 42.37210,-72.51415

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:04