Walk With Ancient Creatures At This Natural History Museum In Nebraska
By Delana Lefevers|Published January 11, 2023
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Delana Lefevers
Author
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
If you grew up in central eastern Nebraska, chances are you’ve visited Morrill Hall at the University of Nebraska State Museum in Lincoln at least once. It’s been a beloved field trip destination for decades, introducing countless kids to the wonders of science and the natural world. Would you believe us if we said the museum is just as much fun when you’re an adult? (Maybe even more so, if you were always afraid of those life-size elephant replicas inside!)
The grand building on the UNL campus has an iconic creature out front: Archie the Mammoth.
Archie is the name given to one specific mammoth skeleton that was found right here in Nebraska. The skeleton became something of a mascot for this university museum over the years, and the Archie statue was installed in 1998.
While the Archie statue out front is a cool 15 feet, 6 inches tall, the real Archie is 14 feet tall.
The first floor houses the Hall of Nebraska Wildlife. The second floor is where you'll find Paleontology of Nebraska. On the third floor, the Explore Evolution exhibit offers information not only about evolution but about Indigenous Peoples, rocks and minerals, Jurassic dinosaurs, and the evolution of weapons.
This section of the building was closed to the public for more than 50 years. It's now home to state-of-the-art exhibits that walk visitors through all areas of Nebraska's natural heritage.
There are traveling exhibits as well as the permanent installations, and you won't want to miss any of these fascinating displays.
Other can't-miss attractions at Morrill Hall include the planetarium, the incredible Bizarre Beasts display, and the well-stocked gift shop. If a young family member is a big fan of the museum, we've got good news: Morrill Hall offers several birthday party packages!
Even if you've visited the University of Nebraska State Museum many times, you're bound to find something new and amazing on every visit.
