Idaho Museum of Natural History

Interim Director, Research Curator and Anthropology Division Head;
    Director, Idaho Virtualization Laboratory;
    Director, Center for Archaeology, Materials, and Applied Spectroscopy: Maschner
Research Curator and Earth Sciences Division Head:  Tapanila
Research Curator Ray J. Davis Herbarium and Life Science Division Head:  Williams
Affiliate Research Curator and Director, Crabtree Experimental Archaeology Lab: Holmer
Education Resources Coordinator:  Thorne-Ferrel
Anthropology Collections Manager: Tews
Earth Sciences Collections Manager: Thompson
Life Sciences and Ray J. Davis Herbarium Collections Manager: Bala
Earl R. Swanson Archaeological
Repository Manager: 
Commendador-Dudgeon
Emeriti: Akersten, Holte, Trost

See Faculty Information    
Courses    
See Idaho Museum of Natural History Website   

The Idaho Museum of Natural History was founded by legislative proclamation in 1977. At that time, the Museum received its State-mandated mission to enhance in the citizens of Idaho and visitors an understanding of and delight in Idaho’s natural and cultural heritage. The Museum has four divisions: Anthropology, Earth Science, Life Science, and Public Programs. Each of the first three divisions is headed by a Research Curator, with other affiliate curators and collections managers. Significant collections include the Anthropology ethnographic collections, the Earl R. Swanson Archaeological Repository, extensive collections in vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, and the Ray J. Davis Herbarium. Affiliated research institutes include the Center for Archaeology, Materials, and Applied Spectroscopy (CAMAS), the GIS Training and Research Center, the Informatics Research Institute, and the Don Crabtree Experimental Archaeology Lab.

Curators in Anthropology, Earth Science and Life Science lead national and international research. Our active research profile supports acquisition and use of collections for all areas of natural history research and education. ISU faculty and students have access to Museum collections for instruction, training, and graduate theses and dissertations.

Our Public Programs Division develops and implements programs and exhibitions on a wide range of science topics, emphasizing current Museum research and environmental and ecological themes. These programs are both university level and for K-12 education.

The Museum offers undergraduate and graduate students educational credits under the Museum subject code and through courses in Anthropology, Biology, Education, Geosciences, History, and other affiliated Idaho State University departments. See course descriptions in the College of Arts and Letters section of the catalog.

The Idaho Museum of Natural History gallery is open from 12:30 - 5 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, 10-5pm Saturday, except for Federal and State holidays. There is no admission fee.

Museum Courses

MUSE 4411 Basic Museology 2 credits. History, philosophy, purposes, organization and administration of museums. Practical work in collections management and museum interpretation. D

MUSE 4450 Independent Study in Museum Methods 1-3 credits. Individual projects based on student's background and interests. Could include, but not limited to, advanced work in collections management, exhibit design and construction, museum education, or administration. May be repeated up to 6 credits. PREREQ: MUSE 4411 or permission of instructor. D

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Information  Contact: webmaster@isu.edu Revised: March 2011