Museum History

The HSU Natural History Museum was created in 1986 after the University purchased a collection of world-class fossils at the same time that a Wells Fargo Bank building close to campus was donated to the University. The fossils were the collection of fossil brokers Hilda and Tom Maloney of Willows, California. The Maloneys wanted their collection to be displayed and used for educational purposes, not simply stored for research, as larger museums had proposed. The 2000+ specimen collection was purchased with State Lottery Funds.

Generous donations were made from companies and foundations to get the Museum ready to open. The Katherine L. Morningstar Trust gave $150,000 to the University to provide an endowment. The Humboldt Area Foundation donated $45,000 to help with building renovation and construction of the display cases. The Museum was opened to the public on April 26, 1989.

Museum planning and much of the design of the original fossil exhibits was done by members of the steering committee made up primarily of HSU faculty and staff. The Museum Store was also organized by this group in consultation with other professional museum store managers. Subsequent exhibits focusing on local natural history have been added (approximately two per year)with funding from grants and corporate donations. Design, graphics and construction of exhibits has largely been accomplished by Museum staff and volunteers.

The first Director was Dr. John Longshore, HSU Geology professor, who served as a half-time director from 1988-1990, and was instrumental in the early development of the Museum. The staff now consists of Director, Education Coordinator, Store Manager, Museum Assistant and part-time Membership Coordinator. Work-study students are an important part of the Museum staff and they work in the museum store and on special projects including exhibits, publicity, education and collections.

Museum School Programs began in 1989, with the first groups of docents trained that Spring. School programs now reach approximately 3000 children each year. Public Programs, including programs, workshops and field trips for all ages, were initiated in 1992 and have grown to include approximately 250 classes a year for a total of approximately 3000 people each year. The Museum membership program was begun in 1989 and has grown to include approximately 450 members.

The Museum Store has been in operation since 1989 and brings in approximately $44,000 in sales each year. Memberships, program fees, Museum store revenue, donations and grants provide two-thirds of the Museums operating budget. Overall visitation is approximately 20,000 visitors each year.