Carnegie Museum of Natural History

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh is a large regional natural history museum founded with support from Andrew Carnegie and opened in the late 19th century. It houses comprehensive paleontology, mineralogy and regional natural history collections and functions as both a public museum and research institution.

Signature exhibits include an extensive dinosaur hall with mounted skeletons and life-like displays, mineral and gem collections, and galleries highlighting the natural history of Pennsylvania and surrounding regions. Research labs and a visible fossil preparation area connect the museum’s scientific work with public programming.

The museum’s collections were developed over more than a century and continue to support fieldwork, conservation and curatorial research. It is a major cultural institution in Pittsburgh and hosts rotating special exhibitions alongside its permanent displays.

Located in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, the museum sits near other cultural and educational institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.

• Founding: The museum is part of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and was founded from the benefaction of Andrew Carnegie; it opened to the public in the late 19th century.
• Visitor Focus: The dinosaur displays are a major draw for families and school groups, with hands-on and educational components integrated into the exhibits.

What to See #

• Dinosaur Hall: A large, permanent exhibition focused on dinosaurs and prehistoric life featuring mounted skeletons and contextual dioramas designed for family audiences.
• Natural History and Minerals: Galleries presenting regional natural history, mineral collections and rotating special exhibitions that highlight current research and local specimens.
• Research and Preparation Labs: On-site research and preparation labs where visitors can observe museum staff working on fossils and collections.