Minnesota is home to some truly outstanding museums. The Minneapolis Institute of Art houses nearly 90,000 pieces that span 5,000 years of human history. The Walker Art Center celebrates contemporary art and is home to the famous Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. These two popular spots are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Minnesota museums. There are dozens of excellent museums in our state, each celebrating important parts of human history and culture, showing off the wonder of science and nature, and educating generations of Minnesotans on all of the above.
One wonderful museum that more people should know about is the Bell Museum. This natural history museum takes guests back thousands of years, to the era when woolly mammoths roamed the land. If you’re interested in going back in time yourself, continue on to learn about this fascinating place. Then plan a trip for yourself! Here’s what you need to know:
The Bell Museum is a brand-new facility on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. It was first housed in Minneapolis starting in 1872, with the new building opening up in 2018.
Bell Museum/Google
With the new building came brand-new displays. This modern museum is full of excellent exhibits. As you walk through the museum, your eyes will be drawn to the well-lit displays, arranged so that you can easily take them in.
Bell Museum/Google
Being a natural history museum, the Bell Museum displays many samples of plant species. Many are from Minnesota, but others come from other places around the world. There are fungi, lichens, and vascular plants.
Robert Krause/Google
In addition to plant life, the Bell Museum includes several wonderful dioramas of animals and the environments they live in. Look closely, and you’ll see not only the main animals, but other plants and animals that may be found in their habitats.
Duane Anderson/Google
The painted backgrounds further add to the realism of the displays. These are wonderful ways to learn about animal life, habitats, and behavior.
Frecky Lewis/Google
Beavers, birds, and moose are among the many dioramas. But perhaps the most popular animal at the museum is the woolly mammoth! This enormous animal might be extinct, but it still fascinates visitors.
Brett Johnson/Google
Plants and animals aren’t the only things you’ll find at the Bell Museum. There’s also a section all about finding humans’ place in the universe. You can learn information about the sun and planets of our solar system and beyond.
Brett Johnson/Google
Top off your Bell Museum visit with a show at the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Planetarium! Here, you can observe constellations found in Minnesota skies and beyond. It’s fascinating, beautiful, and a must-do activity in Minnesota!
Bell Museum/TripAdvisor
Have you been to the Bell Museum? For more information about opening dates, tickets, and exhibits, check the Bell Museum website and Facebook page. If you would like to learn about some of Minnesota’s quirkier museums, check out our articles about the interesting (and possibly haunted!) Greyhound Bus Museum and the wacky, small-town Ed’s Museum.
Bell Museum/Google
Robert Krause/Google
Duane Anderson/Google
Frecky Lewis/Google
Brett Johnson/Google
Bell Museum/TripAdvisor
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