Yale Peabody Museum
Research, Education, and Exhibitions
Home to an extensive collection of objects and artifacts, the Yale Peabody Museum tells the story of our planet, the life it supports, and the history and cultures it has fostered. Now, a major renovation is under way that will reinvent the Peabody for the twenty-first century and beyond, securing its reputation for cutting-edge research, extraordinary education, and breathtaking exhibitions. Giving to the Peabody can support the renovation, ongoing education and research, and new initiatives targeting sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Historic Collections
Founded in 1866, the Yale Peabody Museum is one of the oldest and largest university-based natural history collections. The museum collection spans more than 13 million fossils, specimens, and objects used in teaching and research by Yale’s students and faculty members. Research conducted by the Peabody takes place in ten divisions: Anthropology, Botany, Entomology, History of Science and Technology, Invertebrate Paleontology, Invertebrate Zoology, Mineralogy & Meteoritics, Paleobotany, Vertebrate Paleontology, and Vertebrate Zoology.
13M+
Fossils, specimens, and objects
Natural History for a Better Future
Museums are much more than curators of collections and custodians of the past. At the Yale Peabody Museum, experts are identifying how to use research, exhibits, and programs to inspire students and visitors, call attention to global issues, and foster understanding of different cultures. Through conscientious effort, the Peabody aims to bring its collections to the widest possible audience and employ its work to improve the world.
Key Contacts
April 1, 2024
Burke Hall Shines as Centerpiece of the Reopened Peabody
The museum’s famed dinosaur hall is now named for Coleman P. Burke ’63. It showcases awe-inspiring fossil specimens, repositioned and updated based on new scientific knowledge.
March 27, 2024
Yale Peabody Museum Reopens, Inspiring Awe
Thanks to donors, the beloved museum has been reimagined for the 21st century with bright new galleries, expanded classroom space, and compelling exhibits accessible to all.
September 19, 2023
World-Class Meteorite Collection Donated to Yale
The Yale Peabody Museum’s large and scientifically significant meteorite collection expands with a generous donation from the Planetary Studies Foundation.
