Dyche Hall Elevator Replacement

The Natural History Museum passenger elevator is out of service. The elevator is scheduled for replacement and will be back in service on February 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. 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.

 

Upcoming events

Please search calendar.ku.edu for more info:

Museum Selfie Day
Wednesday, January 16
Join us at the Natural History Museum to celebrate International Museum Selfie Day! We’ll have selfie stations set up so you can take your picture with the polar bear, our namesake Lewis Lindsay Dyche, and other fun exhibits.

Museum Selfie Day
Wednesday, January 16, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Join us at the KU Natural History Museum to celebrate the sixth annual International Museum Selfie Day! We’ll have selfie stations set up so you can take your picture with the polar bear, our namesake Lewis Lindsay Dyche, and other fun exhibits.

Art Cart: Still Life
Saturday, January 26, 1:00 — 4:00pm
Spencer Museum of Art
The KU Natural History Museum will have a special table set up at the SMA with natural history collections for you to be inspired by REAL still-life animals.

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.