The University of Oregon Museum of Natural History

The University of Oregon Museum of Natural History was established to provide public knowledge to the community in Eugene, Oregon, as well as knowledge to visitors. The main goal of the museum is to help university students learn in the science professions of archeology and geology. The museum is one of the largest anthropological museums in the United States and helps show the history of Oregon and the world. The natural history museum works to preserve a number of objects that demonstrate significance to the past and present. There is a complete research facility on the premises for students.

Museum hours are 11am to 5pm Wednesday through Sunday. Parking near the museum is permitted if guests get a permit pass from the admissions desk. There is a small fee to attend the museum of $3 for general admission, $2 for seniors and youth, and $8 for families which includes two adults and 4 youths. Children two and under are admitted free. The museum is located on east 15th avenue in Eugene.

Oregon- Where Past is Present is the main exhibit of the museum. Visitors will experience over 15,000 years of Oregon and Northwest history when they go through the main exhibit. There is also over 200 million years of geology shared. The displays will show an accurate accounting of how the earth in Oregon has changed over the years, with special consideration for any natural disasters that show in the geological data. Part of this exhibit displays the Great Basin during the autumn season. The display looks at 6,000 years ago when it is known that desert existed in the Oregon area.

The next section of displays has everything to do with fishing. North America had one of the largest Native fishing and trading centers at Celilo Falls. The Columbia Plateau 250 years ago was imperative to summer fishing. It has been recreated for the museum. There is a 10,000 year old net on display showing how individuals of the past used nets.

The Pacific Coast has been recreated in a three dimensional replica with a plank house, village, and the inland estuary. It depicts 1,500 years ago. Another display shows the Western Valleys which is a mural based on Native American women gathering food like camas roots for the spring harvest. The rendition is of 1,000 years ago. There are four murals in all on display at the Oregon University Natural History Museum.

Another permanent exhibit is the Scientific at the Cove. Visitors are able to go through the interactive laboratory to explore different science techniques and theories. The museum occasionally has non- permanent exhibits traveling through. At the moment Coastal Light and World Harmony Musical Instruments from Around the Globe are on display. These exhibits will end in November 2009 and January 2010 respectively. The coastal light exhibit is about photographs by Bob Sanov. The other exhibit has several musical instruments on display, many of them from other countries and the past.