May 2024
10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Experience the dynamic forces that shape Oregon’s landscapes, climate, and ecosystems. Meet giant salmon, Ice Age sloths, and other amazing animals from across the millennia. Through interactive displays and rare specimens, you’ll go deep into Oregon’s past and join a conversation about our collective future.
10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Delve into Oregon’s story, from the archaeology of the First Americans to the dynamic cultures of today’s Tribes.
Combining interactive displays with world-class anthropological collections, Oregon—Where Past is Present shares 14,000 years of Oregon stories, and invites you to tell your own. Explore the galleries, try your hand at ancient weaving styles, test your skills as an archaeologist, and much more.
10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Experience Oregon's dynamic—yet fragile—kelp forest ecosystems and learn why this species is vital to Oregon and the world. Discover the critters that call Oregon's kelp forests home, the threats facing kelp today, and what we can do to help the kelp.
10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Come face-to-face with wolves! Wolves: Photography by Ronan Donovan, features National Geographic photographer Ronan Donovan's stunning images and videos of wild wolves in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Ellesmere Island in the high Canadian Arctic. Created by National Geographic Society and the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the exhibit features images and videos highlighting the contrast between wolves that live in perceived competition with humans and wolves that live without human intervention. Photograph by Ronan Donovan, National Geographic Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada. On exhibit in National Geographic "Wolves: Photography by Ronan Donovan"
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Meet students working in the museum’s paleontology lab, see the fossils they are working on, and learn about their student research projects. Join the flock! Instead of admission, make a donation to support student employees and interns working in the fossil collections as part of the museum’s Ducks Give campaign.
6:00–7:30 p.m.
The Clark Honors College and Oregon Forensics welcomes Dr. Marc Robinson to discuss his 2024 book Washington State Rising: Black Power on Campus in the Pacific Northwest documenting the origins, actions, and impact of the Black Student Union (BSU) in Washington from 1967 to 1970.
Dr. Robinson will give two public lectures followed by questions and discussion.
May 23rd at 6:00pm
Museum of Cultural and Natural History, 1680 E 15th Ave
May 24th at 3:00pm
Browsing Room at the Knight Library
Dr. Robinson, a professor of history at UC San Bernardino, was an Equity, Inclusion, and Justice fellow at the college in 2023.
This event is sponsored by Oregon Forensics through the McMains Contrarian Forum.
6:00–7:30 p.m.
In 1968, the Black Student Union (BSU) at the University of Washington led a pivotal campaign for institutional reform. Join historian Marc Robinson as he uncovers the connections between the BSU in Seattle—especially its Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee—and the Civil Rights Movement in the South.
Book signing to follow the presentation. Books will be available for purchase.
Marc Robinson is an assistant professor at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) and author of Washington State Rising: Black Power on Campus in the Pacific Northwest.
Join us for guest presentations, fun activities, and discussions about classes and anthropology.
5:00–6:00 p.m.
Join us for guest presentations, fun activities, and discussions about classes and anthropology.
June 2024
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Museum of Natural and Cultural History offers free admission on the first Friday of the month. Investigate Oregon's amazing fossils and ecosystems, and delve into its cultural history—from the First Americans at Paisley Caves to the dynamic cultures of today's Tribes.
Shopping for the science grad in your life? Head to the museum store! From geoscience water bottles to chemistry-themed jewelry, we've got the perfect science-themed gift just in time for Commencement. Take 10 percent off any non-consignment item (20 percent off for MNCH members and UO faculty and staff) and take home a free canvas tote with your purchase of $50 or more.
Admission to the museum store is always free.
July 2024
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Come face-to-face with wolves! Participants will have a private viewing of Wolves: Photography by Ronan Donovan and then travel to the White Wolf Sanctuary where they will receive a guided tour and learn the history of each wolf. Wear comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing and bring lunch.
The cost is $110 per person, and $95 for MNCH members. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Transportation from the museum and back, admission to museum and sanctuary, snacks, and water will be provided. BYO lunch.
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Join us in the museum’s courtyard this summer for lots of family fun with hands-on activities highlighting themes from the museum. Activities are bilingual English/Spanish and perfect for children ages 3 and up.
Can you learn about a person from their belongings? How about from their trash? Archaeologists do this all the time! Take a trip into the past, dig into archaeology, uncover artifacts, and discover what we can learn from people who lived before us.
Reservations are available for groups of 10 or more youth. Outdoor events are subject to change based on the weather. Please visit mnch.uoregon.edu for the most current information
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Join us in the museum’s courtyard this summer for lots of family fun with hands-on activities highlighting themes from the museum. Activities are bilingual English/Spanish and perfect for children ages 3 and up.
Explore the world of wolves and discover their important role as apex predators in their ecosystems. Then, head inside the museum and meet the wolves of Ellesmere Island and Yellowstone National Park in our National Geographic photography exhibit with photos by Ronan Donovan.
Reservations are available for groups of 10 or more youth. Outdoor events are subject to change based on the weather. Please visit mnch.uoregon.edu for the most current information.
August 2024
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Join us in the museum’s courtyard this summer for lots of family fun with hands-on activities highlighting themes from the museum. Activities are bilingual English/Spanish and perfect for children ages 3 and up.
Why are dinosaur fossils so rare here? Uncover the mystery of Oregon’s dinosaur history! Join us for this dino-mite adventure, learn about dinosaurs, and discover the clues that fossils reveal about Oregon during the Age of Dinosaurs.
Reservations are available for groups of 10 or more youth. Outdoor events are subject to change based on the weather. Please visit mnch.uoregon.edu for the most current information.
8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Explore the amazing landscapes and geology of the Oregon Coast with Marli Miller, UO geologist and author of Roadside Geology of Oregon. This small-group excursion will travel from Eugene to the central Oregon Coast, exploring fascinating rock formations all along the way. Wear comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing, and bring a lunch.
$60 per person; $45 for MNCH members. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Transportation from the museum and back, snacks, and water will be provided. BYO lunch.
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Join us in the museum’s courtyard this summer for lots of family fun with hands-on activities highlighting themes from the museum. Activities are bilingual English/Spanish and perfect for children ages 3 and up.
Would you like to dive under the waves to explore the ocean? At the museum, you can jump in without getting wet! Discover amazing ocean ecosystems, like beautiful kelp forests or rugged, rocky reefs, and get inspired to protect Oregon's diverse ocean habitat and the animals that call it home.
Reservations are available for groups of 10 or more youth. Outdoor events are subject to change based on the weather. Please visit mnch.uoregon.edu for the most current information.
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Come face-to-face with wolves before the exhibit closes! Wolves: Photography by Ronan Donovan, features National Geographic photographer Ronan Donovan's stunning images and videos of wild wolves in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Ellesmere Island in the high Canadian Arctic.
Created by National Geographic Society and the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the exhibit features images and videos highlighting the contrast between wolves that live in perceived competition with humans and wolves that live without human intervention.