Dyche Hall Elevator Repair

Starting Jan 21, 2019, the Natural History Museum passenger elevator will receive necessary repairs. Safely repairing the elevator requires removing the elevator from service from Jan. 21, 2019 to Feb. 22, 2019. The third floor galleries, including our fossils, fluorescent minerals, and Bugtown exhibits are located on the ground level and are fully accessible. We apologize for the inconvenience. We are sharing our elevator repair plans as soon as possible, to allow visitors to consider this information when planning their museum visit. Please address accessibility questions or concerns to Catherine Johnson, ADA Director, at cej2@ku.edu or 785-864-3650.

 

museum grotesques

The Grotesques Renew Project

Combining the old arts of stonecraft and sketching with modern 3D imaging, the KU Natural History Museum is launching an effort to replace its iconic grotesques.  

The mythical beasts that adorned Dyche Hall were removed in fall 2017, crated and placed on view in museum. 

We are raising $150,000 to recreate the sculptures and place them back on their pedestals on Dyche Hall. To date, $20,000 has been raised for the project. To support creation of the new grotesques, please consider giving to the Grotesques Renew fund at KU Endowment.

 

Fifth Floor Closed

The fifth floor gallery that includes Explore Evolution is closed for fall 2018 while we make improvements to make the area more accessible. 

Upcoming events

Please search calendar.ku.edu for more info:

Carnival of Chemistry
Sunday, November 18, 1-4pm
Integrated Sciences Building, Join the Department of Chemistry for their annual Carnival of Chemistry — children & families can use real scientific equipment to explore the chemistry of nectar.

Kansas City Science on Tap: Forget Everything You Thought You Knew About Biology
Tuesday, November 27, 7:30pm
Bier Station taproom in KCMO. Join Biodiversity Institute director Leonard Krishtalka for a talk about how the unknown life will overturn and revolutionize everything that is being taught about biology.

Discovery Day: Wildlife Conservation
Sunday, December 2, 1-3pm
Help us honor Wildlife Conservation Day a little early. Join us as we examine museum specimens from around the world, engage in hands-on learning, and discuss global conservation efforts.

Fun things to do at the museum

Explore the museum

We offer more than a dozen scavanger hunts, museum checklists and even limericks to help you explore the museum. Download one before you arrive, or pick one up near the museum lobby. 

School workshops

Book a school program

The KU Natural History Museum offers a variety of science education programs for school groups. Explore our available programs taught by museum education professionials and book yours for fall and spring by calling 785.864.4173. Scholarships available.



Get your museum passport

Museum members provide critical support for our exhibits, education and programs. They also have access to free admission to more than 300 museums and science centers worldwide. Join today to start using your own museum passport.