About the Auburn University Museum of Natural History

The mission of the Auburn University Museum of Natural History is to conduct biodiversity research, preserve and document the region and planet’s biodiversity, and to lead and promote activities related to natural history education and outreach for Auburn University and all citizens of the state of Alabama. AUMNH's vision is to emerge as the primary repository for all natural history collections currently maintained at Auburn University and to function as a center of excellence for biodiversity research, education, and outreach. Capitalizing on strengths of the biodiversity heritage collections in their care and the vast organismal knowledgebase of the curators and staff to establish a gateway through which all segments of society can come discover the natural sciences and appreciate the relevance of biodiversity to human health and quality of life. They commit to preserve and document the rich natural heritage of Alabama while concurrently creating opportunities for students and teachers from regional schools, the general public, students at Auburn University, and researchers to explore our planet’s biodiversity. AUMNH seeks to inspire an appreciation of nature and the environment so that we might better conserve it for future generations.

Included in the museum is the John D. Freeman Herbarium, a large collection of insects, and more than 450,000 preserved fish specimens.

Visit the Museum

The public display areas are located in the Rouse Life Sciences Building, the 3rd floor of Funchess Hall, in Greene Hall at the Veterinary School, and the Crop Improvement Association Building on South Donahue Drive. These areas are open during working hours Monday through Friday and offer the public a glimpse into our rich and varied holdings. They also provide a variety of other means for the public to visit the museum and view the collections.

Members of the public interested in visiting the museum are encouraged to join us on the first Wednesday of each month for a tour of the museum’s collections. These tours are open to everyone and admission is free. Join and learn about their holdings, current research, and discover Alabama’s great biodiversity. Tours begin at 5:00 p.m. and last approximately an hour and a half.

If you are planning on attending an upcoming tour, please REGISTER HERE so they can prepare for your arrival.