Peabody Museum of Natural HistoryAbout Peabody Museum of Natural History
The Peabody Museum of Natural History is Yale University’s natural history museum in New Haven, Connecticut, founded in 1866 with support from philanthropist George Peabody. It houses exhibition halls and large research collections in paleontology, anthropology, entomology and vertebrate zoology.
Key visitor attractions include the museum’s large dinosaur hall with mounted skeletons and casts, anthropological displays and rotating temporary exhibitions. The institution also supports active scientific research and houses extensive specimen collections used by scholars.
The museum was established in the 19th century and has expanded its exhibits and collections over time to serve both public education and university research. The building and galleries are part of Yale’s campus cultural and scientific facilities.
The Peabody Museum sits on Yale University’s campus in New Haven, Connecticut, near the university’s Science Hill area and within walking distance of downtown New Haven.
- Founding: Founded in 1866 through a gift from philanthropist George Peabody, the museum forms part of Yale University’s natural history and research infrastructure.
- Highlights: The museum’s dinosaur hall and large research collections make it one of the major university natural history museums in the United States; special exhibitions and school programs are regular features.
What to See#
- Great Hall of Dinosaurs: A large permanent gallery in the Yale museum housing mounted dinosaur skeletons and casts, arranged in a vaulted exhibition hall popular with visitors of all ages.
- Collections and research spaces: Research and object collections that support the museum’s scientific work and exhibitions, containing millions of specimens across paleontology, entomology, vertebrate zoology and anthropology.
Nearby Attractions to Peabody Museum of Natural History
Best Time to Visit Peabody Museum of Natural History
Indoor attraction - visit any season for exhibits; weekdays in term time are less crowded.
Weather & Climate near Peabody Museum of Natural History
Peabody Museum of Natural History's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1184 mm/year), wettest in April, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -6° - 3° | -7° | 94 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -6° - 4° | -6° | 87 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -1° - 9° | 0° | 104 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 4° - 15° | 7° | 107 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 10° - 22° | 16° | 105 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 15° - 27° | 21° | 95 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 18° - 29° | 24° | 98 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 17° - 28° | 23° | 98 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 13° - 24° | 18° | 95 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 6° - 18° | 12° | 94 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 2° - 12° | 4° | 105 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -3° - 6° | -3° | 102 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Peabody Museum of Natural History
The Peabody Museum sits on the Yale University campus in downtown New Haven. It is a 10-15 minute walk from New Haven Union Station; local buses also serve the campus. Driving and campus parking are available but limited.
Tips for Visiting Peabody Museum of Natural History
- Visit the Great Hall to see the mounted Deinonychus skeleton and the iconic Yale mastodon casts early in the day to avoid school groups.
- Check the museum's calendar for the changing exhibit schedule - some of the best displays are temporary and curated around Yale research.
- If pressurized climate-controlled rooms bother camera sensors, point-and-shoots and phones often capture the shadowy dinosaur halls better than large DSLRs without a tripod.