Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What are the five basic types of museums based on their collections?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
museum
Interior of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Museums are diverse institutions that do not lend themselves to rigid classification; however, analyzing them based on the nature of their collections allows for a useful distinction between general and specialized institutions. According to this method, there are five basic types of museums:1
- General museums: These institutions hold collections across more than one subject, often reflecting an encyclopedic scope or the history and traditions of a specific region or locality.12
- Natural history and natural science museums: These focus on the natural world, often encompassing biology, geology, and ecology.1
- Science and technology museums: These institutions are dedicated to the history and advancement of scientific discovery and technological innovation.1
- History museums: These museums preserve and interpret objects and information related to human history and past events.1
- Art museums: These are dedicated to the collection and display of visual arts, ranging from historical masterpieces to contemporary works.1
While these categories define the primary focus of a collection, some modern institutions, such as the virtual museum, transcend these traditional boundaries through unique electronic presentations.1