How Big Is the American Museum of Natural History?

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest and most famous museums in the world. Located in New York City, it houses an extensive collection of specimens and artifacts related to natural history and human cultures.

But just how big is this impressive institution? Let’s take a closer look.

Location

The American Museum of Natural History is situated on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, occupying several city blocks between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. Its main entrance faces Central Park, and visitors can access the museum via Subway or bus.

History

The museum was founded in 1869 by a group of prominent New Yorkers who were interested in promoting science education. Since then, it has grown exponentially, expanding its collections and facilities to become one of the premier natural history museums in the world.

Collections

The American Museum of Natural History boasts an impressive collection that includes over 33 million specimens and artifacts. These items are divided into several departments, including anthropology, earth and planetary sciences, vertebrate zoology, invertebrate zoology, and paleontology.

Some highlights from the collections include:

• The Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs: This exhibit features a variety of dinosaur skeletons, including a Tyrannosaurus rex.
• The Rose Center for Earth and Space: A state-of-the-art planetarium that features exhibits on astronomy and space exploration.
• The Milstein Hall of Ocean Life: Home to an enormous blue whale model that hangs from the ceiling.
• The Hall of Human Origins: An exhibit that explores human evolution through fossils and other artifacts.

Size

So just how big is the American Museum of Natural History? Well, it’s actually quite massive.

The museum covers a total of 1.6 million square feet, with 28 interconnected buildings. It has 45 permanent exhibition halls and several temporary exhibit spaces.

Some other interesting facts about the museum’s size include:

• The museum contains over 2 million square feet of exhibition space.
• There are over 200 scientists employed by the museum.
• The library has a collection of over half a million volumes.

Conclusion

The American Museum of Natural History is an enormous institution that offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the natural world and human cultures. With its impressive collections, state-of-the-art facilities, and commitment to education and research, it’s no wonder that this museum is such a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.