natural history museum

Natural history and natural science museums focus on the natural world, housing collections of birds, mammals, insects, plants, rocks, minerals, and fossils. These museums evolved from private collections of curiosities amassed during Europe's Renaissance and Enlightenment periods. Early examples include specimens within broader collections at institutions like the Ashmolean Museum and the British Museum.1

The 19th century saw a surge in natural science museums, with many in the United States and Latin America also incorporating anthropology. These institutions later embraced nature conservation and environmental awareness, sometimes assisting in environmental planning. Major museums like London's Natural History Museum, the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, and the American Museum of Natural History hold vast collections, serving as international centers for taxonomic research. The Natural History Museum in London, for instance, holds nearly 70 million specimens, including important historical collections from figures like James Cook and Charles Darwin.12