Carnegie Museum of Natural History
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH), one of the major four Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh, is regarded as one of the best natural history museums in the country. It cares for, preserves, and perceives an exceptional collection of artifacts, scientific specimens, and objects. They are used to further our understanding of the topic, conservation, as well as biodiversity.
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History continues to advance science literacy and encourages visitors of all ages to become passionate about the subject, nature, and of course the world cultures. CMNH is a natural history museum situated in Pennsylvania's Oakland neighborhood. Andrew Carnegie, a Pittsburgh-based industrialist, founded the museum concept in 1896. The museum houses one of the world's greatest paleontological collections, with a total of over 22 million specimens.
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is under the operations of the Carnegie Institute, which has its headquarters in Oakland. On March 30, 1979, the Carnegie Institute complex, which included the original museum, along with the recital hall as well as the library, was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
CMNH rose to prominence in the year 1899, when its scientists discovered Diplodocus carnegii fossils. Anthropology, Botany, Herpetology (Amphibians & Reptiles), Birds, Invertebrate Paleontology, Minerals, Invertebrate Zoology, Mammals, Mollusks (Malacology), and Vertebrate Paleontology are some of the active curatorial departments at the museum.
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History houses a total of 230 dinosaur fossils. This includes the holotype of Diplodocus carnegii and the most complete and amazing Tyrannosaurus rex known to date. Also Anzu wyliei is one of the recently described oviraptorosaurs. Polar World: Wyckoff Hall of Arctic Life, Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems, Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt, Alcoa Foundation Hall of American Indians, and Benedum Hall of Geology are among the other incredible exhibits.
Powdermill Nature Reserve was founded in 1956 as a field station for long-term studies of natural populations. It is now the centerpiece of the museum's Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystems. Castorocauda lutrasimilis, Puijila darwini, and Hadrocodium wui were discovered by expert research teams led by Carnegie scientists.
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is also known for publishing scholarly journals and books. A notable one among others is the Annals of Carnegie Museum. This provides peer-reviewed articles in organismal studies, earth sciences, biology, and anthropology. The Bulletin of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History provides monographs or compilations of related papers from symposia. On the other hand, the Special Publications of Carnegie Museum document special topics or areas of research.