Peabody Museum of Natural History

The Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven brings ancient history to life for visitors to the museum. The museum is a division of Yale University. Many believe the highlight of the museum is the Great Hall of Dinosaurs. The exhibits feature skeletons from a variety of paleontology collections, a model of the Deinonychus, skeletons of prehistoric birds like the Icthyomis Hesperomis, an Archelon which is the largest species of turtle ever discovered, a fossil crinoid of the sea lily and a composite slab of a fossil created from the footprint of a dinosaur in Connecticut. The museum is home to a number of dioramas, many of them thought of as masterpieces in the diorama world. The three-dimensional world of a diorama is an excellent way to experience a world from the past. The dioramas at the Peabody were created by some of the most renowned diorama artists in the world. From the painted backgrounds to the models of floor, marsh grass, water and rocks to the likenesses of people and animals from prehistoric times, the dioramas are a great way to learn about history. In addition to the permanent and changing exhibits at the museum, visitors can participate in a wide range of educational programs geared for adults and children.