What is interesting about the history museum

The world we live in is amazing. The founders of the museum want everyone to understand the environment better, enjoy and love it more. Nature is the largest exhibition of all.

The San Diego Natural History Museum is accredited by the American Museum Alliance, which certifies that the institution demonstrates a professional level of performance in accordance with quality standards.

The organization is a member of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, which unites 26 cultural, scientific and artistic institutions in Balboa Park. Working together, they deliver important results that no organization alone can achieve.

History of the museum

Founded in 1874, the San Diego Society of Natural Science is the oldest scientific institution in California. In the first years of its existence, it was the main source of scientific knowledge in the city. Members of the society created a meteorological station, petitioned for the creation of a state reserve, and enlisted the support of the zoological association.

In June 1912, the society opened its first museum. In 1917, a vacant building was purchased near Balboa Park. The growing collections and library of the Natural History Museum have been moved here.

Before celebrating its 50th anniversary, the museum occupied three different buildings. When space became desperate for space, managers recognized the need to build the proper size. Architect William Johnson was commissioned to design a new building. Johnson has earned his reputation in the past by creating the San Diego Fine Arts Gallery and Savings and Trust Bank.

The construction of the new headquarters was made possible by a grant of $125,000. However, it was extremely problematic to collect the full amount necessary for the construction of the museum during the Great Depression, and it was possible to build only the first block of the building and one wing, extending to the north. The new building of the San Diego Natural History Museum opened on January 14, 1933.

In March 1943, the US Navy used the museum as a hospital for the treatment of infectious diseases. This institution was renovated — an elevator and a nursing station between floors were added.

The main library was moved to San Diego State College. The rest of the valuable exhibits were hastily packed into boxes and placed in the north wing on the main floor. Despite periods of financial stress, the museum continued to grow steadily in the post-war period.

Exhibitions and exhibits

• National Geographic: 50 Greatest Landscapes

This photo exhibition will take you to the most amazing corners of the world and plunge into breathtaking landscapes.

• Hidden gems

Over 100 stunning items from the mineralogical department will be on display in November 2019 across all floors of the museum.

• Unshelved: Cool Stuff from Storage

The building houses many interesting specimens, which have never been exhibited to the public until now. Don't miss this rare opportunity to look behind the scenes of the museum.

• The Cerutti Mastodon Discovery

Here, excavations from the Ice Age, carried out by the museum staff, are exhibited. The collection includes 130 thousand-year-old mastodon bones, molars and tusks.

• Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People: A History of Citizen Science

Rare books, artwork, photographs, historical documents, and plant and animal specimens are brought together to prove that you don't need to be a scientist to experience the power of science.