The Science Museum of Minnesota stewards a permanent collection of approximately 2 million items from around the globe and spanning Earth’s history. Divided into the disciplines of anthropology, biology and paleontology, the collections inspire scientists, artists, culture bearers, educators, and museum visitors. 

Collections Services

The Collections Services Department provides artifacts and specimens, documentation, archival information, and expertise to the museum for exhibits and programs. The department’s mission is to ensure the physical integrity of, protect and maintain the intellectual content for, and provide access to the collections and their documentation for museum staff, outside researchers, and the inquiring public. For more information, email [email protected] or call (651) 221-9435.

The Collections Stewardship Department works in partnership across the museum’s divisions and departments to ensure the care, preservation, and accessibility of the museum’s permanent collections. 

Collections History

The Saint Paul Institute of Arts and Sciences, now known as the Science Museum of Minnesota, was incorporated in 1907 to provide lifelong learning opportunities to the citizens of St. Paul and beyond.  The museum’s earliest collections were acquired for exhibition through transfers from other institutions and donations from private collectors. Since their establishment in the mid 20th century, the curatorial departments have grown the collection through fieldwork and research. Well-documented collections items record how the world has changed over time, helping us understand the present and inspiring us to imagine a better future. We continue to grow the collections to support ongoing research and build on existing strengths.

For more information, email [email protected].