Museum of Natural HIstory Reopens at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History reopens to the public on a limited basis beginning Friday, June 25, 2021 following 15 months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure that everyone enjoys their visit and stays safe, the museum will start with limited hours, reduced capacity, and a timed-reservation system. The museum will require staff and visitors to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and follow established protocols regardless of vaccine status. Some activities and exhibit areas, including the planetarium, remain closed. The Museum Store will be open.

Admission for individuals and families is free but advance reservations are required.

“We are so excited to welcome visitors back into the museum,” said Amy Harris, director. “We hadn’t even been open a year in our beautiful new space when the pandemic forced us to close down. We were able to reach many people with virtual programs during the closure, but it’s not the same as seeing the awe in the eyes of children when they see the mastodons and dinosaurs for the first time.”

The museum will gradually expand hours of operation and occupancy in the weeks and months ahead. Visitors should confirm hours and protocols on the museum’s website (ummnh.org) prior to visiting.

The museum is also offering both in-person and virtual science-focused summer camps for children who have completed grades K through 8.

For those not ready for an in-person visit, the museum has a number of online offerings including Museum@Home, Virtual Exhibits, Virtual Planetarium Shows, and Virtual Field Trips.