Harvard Museum of Natural History

Address:	26 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Phone:	+1 617-495-3045
Site:	hmnh.harvard.edu
Rating:	4.7
Working:	9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 16

A Private User

The Harvard Museum of Natural History is an excellent museum. Relevant, current exhibits mixed with the classic collections of flora and fauna accumulated over the years by the University. The specimen rooms have an "old-school" feel to them, bringing you back to the golden age of scientific discovery, while still maintaining an up-to-date catalog of information. Surprisingly, this is a remarkably good museum for kids - they have a really excellent prehistoric section with lots of cool dinosaur fossils that will keep them interested without oversimplifying the experience. Botanist-types will appreciate the world-famous glass flower exhibit, which is amazingly detailed. If you find yourself with a free afternoon (or Sunday morning - free to MA residents), this is a great way to spend it. Overall I and my companion felt that it was a better value than the Museum of Science, which has slid further and further into the "entertainment as education" mindset in recent years.

Carolyne Volpe Curley

My tween daughter and I visited on July 6 and I was not prepared for how large it was; I figured a college wouldnt have a very big museum but I was wrong. There were so many displays - we didnt have time to stay more than 30 minutes, but easily we could have spent hours. She particularly loved the interactive Climate Change exhibit. Coming from Divinity Street, you will enter through the Peabody Museum side (which is also included in the admission ticket) and then go to the 3rd floor. Youll walk thru the (excellent) Peabody exhibits and go into the History Museum side. Dont miss the Glass Flowers - they are very beautiful. This is part of the Boston Go Card and I recommend the stop. After visiting - grab a bite to eat at the Clover Food Lab inside of the Science Building.

Nelson Feliciano

A fantastic cultural high-point in the Boston metropolitan area tucked into Cambridge at Harvard. Having been a volunteer there once and heading back for another stint soon, I can tell you that it is truly worth a visit by all, local and traveler alike. From neat bones, outstanding taxidermy , breath taking glass work and gem stones to spare. The staff, all of the staff, are attentive and happy to share information or simply point you in the direction you know your own adventure to be heading. And dont forget to stop into the gift shop, there are numerous items to please just about any age group and curiosity level.

Joshua Berk

Revel in amazement at this Victorian-style maze of glass cases (mostly dead creatures). Inside, one will find prehistoric fossil invertebrates, reptiles, a Kronosaurus, over 3,000 glass flowers (commissioned in 1886, representing more than 830 plant species), a 1,642-lb amethyst geode, and the world’s largest turtle shell. Pro-Tip: MA residents get in for free on Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. and on Sundays before noon (Bring ID, and remind them); plus, any paid admission also provides access to the adjacent Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Bring a date (or family) for the Comparative Zoology Exhibit!

JT Buzanga

A great museum tucked away on Harvards campus. A clear shout-out to yesteryear, the museum is organized like old cabinets of curiosity. Each room has a theme and it is packed with different specimens. Dont miss the glass flowers, the gemstone collection, or the various fossils. But that is only the tip of the iceberg! You truly could spend hours exploring their entire collection. The staff is helpful and willing to answer all questions. They also incorporate great interactive elements into the exhibits. If you are Massachusetts resident it is free on Sundays from 9 - 12.

A Private User

Poor treatment of young children and their families. 1) insulting stroller policy 2) Two different cahsiers both charged my friend and I for our youngest children when they should have been free 3) very condescending gallery interpreters, one of whom refused to acknowledge my sons interest and questions. 4) adult patrons willfully obstructing the way for children. My son left the museum very upset and hasnt stopped talking about the "mean adults." Go somewhere else if you have kids. If it werent for their interesting fossils, Id give one star, but fair is fair.

Stone Chen

A medium-sized museum with extensive collections of animal and plant fossils, specimens, mineral stones, and one of the most impressive exhibitions Ive ever seen: life-like glass flowers. The place is very family-friendly with many directions and interactive activities dedicated to young kids. The museum is also connected with the Peabody museum which showcases exhibitions about native culture, ancient weapons, etc. A great choice of destination for a family weekend.

Benjamin Kirkup

The public spaces are just a tiny fraction of this substantial research museum. In the public spaces, the classic rock and mineral collections, the taxidermy, the fossils... but also the original botany teaching collection (glass flowers). In the research spaces - experts surrounded by their specimens, entire floors and wings of animals and fossils, a library, and then, in adjoining buildings, the herbaria, archaeology, anthropology, etc.

Chris Wren

The recent renovations are very well done. The docents are friendly and knowledgeable. The collections will keep you coming back. The museums mission is to give the public access to Harvards scientific collections: youll be seeing items that Harvard scientists studied while unravelling the mysteries of our planet. Dont forget to visit the attached Peabody Museum: your admission covers that anthropological collection as well.

Arnaud Dubreuil

Superbe ! De belles collections (celle de géologie est impressionnante), beaucoup danimaux. 10$ en étudiant, 12 en adulte, cest bien moins cher que dautres musées de Boston et ça émerveille des petits tout autant.

Rajendra Rao

Must visit for every visitor. Glass museum is beyond explanation. Done in 1889 by two German artists (father and son) brings back the real nature in glass. Leaves and plants look soooooo real you will forget for a moment that they are made of glass. You may visit other museums near by too. It is a must visit.It is in Oxford street, Cambridge.I have taken all my relatives who visited me from India to this place.

Charles Bosse

Harvard, as you might expect, has an excellent collection. As you might not expect, the museum is largely quite up to date and very informative, and even a pretty good place for kids (if they can be somewhat calm and if you either dont have a stroller, or dont mind going around). Its well worth a visit, especially if you are an MA resident and know when to get in for free (hint: check the website).

Atipong Pathanasethpong

The exhibitions in the museum are very well done and the amount of knowledge that resides within the shows is just mind boggling. There are many types of exhibitions to satisfy a variety of taste; be they modern animals, recently extinct animals, prehistoric animals, geology, climate change. There are also plenty of anthropological exhibitions in the connected Peabody Museum.

Chris Palmer

The entrance fee seemed a bit high considering the size of the museum. Great exhibits more than make up for it however. The glass flowers are absolutely beautiful. This exhibit alone would have been worth the price. There are a number of other exhibits that are really interesting as well. Very much recommended if you happen to be on campus with an extra hour or two.

Kevin Michalski

Went late in the day during the week in November and it was very empty. The exhibits were diverse and extensive, and there was no shortage of things to look at. I found the animal exhibits to be most interesting partly due to the sheer number of taxidermy animals there were! It is a little inconveniently located and requires a short walk from the Harvard T station.

Kaitlin Mahar

Great museum! Lots of interesting exhibits. Ive spent a couple of hours here on two occasions in the last year and not gotten bored or even gotten to see everything. Huge collections of glass flowers, taxidermy, geodes, etc. I saw a lot of children there; its a good place for people of all ages. Also, with a Harvard ID its free and you get a +1.