Morrison Natural History Museum

The Morrison Natural History Museum (MNHM) is a paleontological museum in Jefferson County, renowned for its personalized programs with every admission. The museum prides itself on offering a unique visitor experience through knowledgeable guides, touchable exhibits, and demonstrations. MNHM offers local paleontology and general science programs through guided exploration of exhibits. Curators are engaged in local paleontological research projects that create unique and relevant programs. Engaging, tactile exhibits are built in-house to suit programming needs. This model of research leading to exhibits for personalized programming is the signature of the small institution. Visitors can explore exhibits of extinct life and landscapes of Jurassic Morrison, Cretaceous Colorado, and the Front Range Ice Age, designed to be explored with a guide to enhance the experience. The museum's unique displays are fueled by ongoing research, allowing visitors to encounter the first Stegosaurus fossils and other Jurassic giants. Visitors can experience the thrill of working inside a real paleontology lab while helping to clean fossils, thanks to hands-on demonstrations. MNHM is committed to educating visitors about Jeffco's natural heritage through personalized programming and hands-on exhibits. The personalized visitor experience is unparalleled, regardless of size or community stature. The museum ranks at the top of local institutions, providing nearly 2000 programs in 2023 as informal hourly programs. Some 15,000 were served in 2023 with some 11,000 walk-in visitors and 4000 with outreach programs. Specialized programs were led for schools and related groups, all of which are tied with state standards. The museum attracts and retains tourists, with 68% of visitors hailing from outside Morrison’s home county, indicating a positive economic impact. Half of visitors originated from outside the Denver metro area, another US state, or abroad. Morrison Natural History Museum is a department of the Town of Morrison, Colorado, and is supported by the Morrison Natural History Museum Foundation, a nonprofit that champions mission enrichment.