Sternberg Museum of Natural History
Museum Natural history museum with paleontology exhibits in Kansas
In Kansas, the Sternberg Museum of Natural History displays fossils, paleontology exhibits and regional geology; school groups and fossil enthusiasts visit for hands-on displays and collections.
The Sternberg Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum in Hays, Kansas, affiliated with Fort Hays State University and known for its paleontology holdings. It serves as a regional center for the study and display of fossils from the surrounding plains.
Exhibits concentrate on regional geology and paleontology, with a focus on fossil specimens collected from Kansas and nearby areas, including marine reptiles and other well-preserved fossils. Interpretive displays explain the local geologic record and the prehistoric environments that produced the museum’s collections.
The museum’s collections grew from fossils assembled by the Sternberg family of collectors and paleontologists and were later incorporated into the university museum program. The institution has developed as a teaching and research resource tied to Fort Hays State University.
Located in Hays, Kansas, the museum is situated to serve north-central Kansas and is associated with the Fort Hays State University campus.
- Signature collections: Collections include extensive regional fossil material assembled by members of the Sternberg family of paleontologists.
- Affiliation: Operated in association with Fort Hays State University and focused on the natural history and paleontology of north-central Kansas.
How to Get to Sternberg Museum of Natural History #
The Sternberg Museum is on or adjacent to the Fort Hays State University campus in Hays, Kansas. It is reachable by car from Interstate 70 via U.S. Highway 183 and is a short drive from downtown Hays.
Tips for Visiting Sternberg Museum of Natural History #
- If interested in fossils, ask about the mounted specimens and the field-collection stories-museum staff often know where local digs occurred.
- Combine a visit with a stop at Fort Hays State University's campus for additional paleontological context.
Best Time to Visit Sternberg Museum of Natural History #
The museum is primarily an indoor draw; plan visits during university hours and avoid exam weeks for a quieter experience.
Weather & Climate near Sternberg Museum of Natural History #
Sternberg Museum of Natural History's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 34°C. Moderate rainfall (588 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -9°C. The driest month with just 12 mm.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -7°C. Light rainfall.
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 34°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with 90 mm of rain.
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August
August is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -7°C. Light rainfall.
