The Research & Collections Division is responsible for conducting research, preserving and ensuring proper use of the Museum’s collections, and reviewing the scientific content of all exhibits and information produced by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
The Museum’s collections include more than 1 million objects, curated in the departments of Anthropology, Earth Sciences, Space Sciences, and Zoology. Collections continue to grow through staff research, private donations, and the Museum's designation as a repository for collections from municipal, county, state, and federal lands.
Significant holdings include the original Folsom point and related archaeological specimens, fossil plants, mammals and dinosaurs, important Southwestern and Plains archaeological materials, cultural objects in the Crane Native American collection, extensive ornithology and mammal collections from the western interior, and significant gold and mineral specimens from around the world.
Collections
Long-Term Collection & Research Plan 2008-2012 (PDF | 1.2MB)
The Long-Term Collection & Research Plan describes the intellectual framework, history, scope and future of the Museum's 24 collections as well as an overview of current curator research.
Manual of Collection Policies (PDF | 179KB) and Ethics Policy Statement (PDF | 40KB)
The Manual of Collection Policies for the Denver Museum of Nature & Science guides the acquisition, use, preservation, and disposition of collections under the Museum's custody.The Manual of Collection Policies takes as its foundation the DMNS Ethics Policy Statement, which guides staff, volunteers, and the Board of Trustees.
Top 10 Collections on Display
Take a digital look at the Top 10 Collections on display in the Museum, as voted on by Museum staff. Read about each, learn where they're located, and leave comments.
Online Collections
Look through our online collections to find information on thousands of specimens housed at the Museum.
Departments
Anthropology
Incorporating both ethnography and archaeology, the Department of Anthropology deals with the study of humans and the cultural, environmental, and social factors that affect them.
Earth Sciences
The Department of Earth Sciences combines paleontology and geology in its attempt to understand and document the evolution of the planet.
Health Sciences
The Health Sciences Department’s mission is to explore and teach the biological principles of human health and disease.
Space Sciences
The Department of Space Sciences explores the mysteries of the universe, from the relatively nearby landscapes of Mars to the farthest reaches of space.
Zoology
The Department of Zoology investigates evolutionary patterns and processes leading to a better understanding of the world’s biodiversity.
Key Contacts
Kirk Johnson
Vice President of Research & Collections and Chief Curator
303.370.6448
kirk.johnson@dmns.org
Veronika Hall
Assistant to the Vice President & Chief Curator
303.370.6473
veronika.hall@dmns.org
Bailey Library & Archives
303.370.6362 or Library Catalog
Conservation & Registration
Kelly Goulette
Director of Preservation & Documentary Resources
303.370.6401
kelly.goulette@dmns.org
Heather Thorwald
Registrar
303.370.8377
heather.thorwald@dmns.org
Jude Southward
Conservator and Department of Conservation Chair
303.370.6496
jude.southward@dmns.org
