The Natural History Museum at Southwest Minnesota State University will host an open house 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, in Science & Math Building Room 107 to celebrate the museum’s grand re-opening following a remodel to the exhibit space.

The new exhibits and interactive elements focus on the natural world of southwest Minnesota — the tallgrass prairie, birds, animals, ecosystems, and prairie pothole wetlands. Funding for the museum remodel was provided by a nearly $46,000 grant from the David B. Jones Foundation. The grant was originally submitted by Environmental Science Professor Emeritus, Dr. Tom Dilley, with help from Professor Emeritus Emily Deaver, with the goal of updating the biological and geological educational opportunities offered by the museum.

SMSU Class of 2008 alumna and environmental educator, Katie Chapman, coordinated the museum updates with design support from Maddy Groff of the SMSU Communications and Marketing Office. Chapman became involved in the project after the sudden passing of Dilley in November 2023. Dilley was the lead faculty on the museum project at the time of his death. Chapman was a student of both Dilley and Deaver. She was honored to take on the project and see it to completion.

The open house is free and open to the public. Everyone is invited to linger and learn while exploring the updated exhibits. Light refreshments will be available. Liquid nitrogen ice cream will be prepared by the SMSU Chemistry Club from 5-6 p.m.

For more information, contact the SMSU Science Program at 507-537-6178 or science@smsu.edu.