Discover how the James Webb Space Telescope’s striking images expand what we know about galaxies, stars, and planets.

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.

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.

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.

Join Tribal researcher Peter Hatch (Siletz) of the Elakha Alliance and archaeologist Hannah Wellman as they discuss their work to surface the archaeology and ethnohistory of Oregon’s lost sea otters, a cultural keystone species missing from Oregon’s shoreline for 110 years. Hannah Wellman will provide an overview of our understanding of sea otters in the Oregon archaeological record to date, and Peter Hatch will discuss the many ways that the many strands of Indigenous traditional knowledge of sea otters that outlived the animals' extinction can inform their potential future in Oregon.

Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Go Ducks! And get a great deal on museum membership. Get 20% off new or renewing one-year memberships to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History during UO football home game weekends. That's a whole year of hands-on exhibits and award-winning family programs, served up Duck-style. Join us!

*Discount applies to individual and family memberships only.

Special Monday hours: Enjoy free admission in honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day! Come celebrate 14,000 years of Native culture in Oregon—from the First Americans at Paisley Caves to the dynamic cultures of today's Tribes.

Join Stephanie Craig (enrolled member of Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) for a special presentation and demonstration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Indigenous Foods at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History and the Many Nations Longhouse.

· 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Oral Presentation and Q&A w/Stephanie Craig at MNCH

· 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.: Acorn cooking demonstration and hands-on activities at Many Nations Longhouse

Co-sponsored by Willamette Resources & Educational Network (WREN) and the Many Nations Longhouse.

Native American collections are at the heart of many museums, but museums have often excluded Native stakeholders in decisions. Join Dr. Deana Dartt (Coastal Band, Chumash), an anthropologist and museum expert, to discuss how changing standards can encourage collaboration with Native communities and address the colonial legacy of museums.

Co-sponsored by the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House.

Included with regular admission; free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.

Journey into space and back in time as you explore the vast cosmos beyond planet Earth. The whole family will have fun experimenting with light, learning about telescopes, discovering our place in space, and more. Check out the museum, enjoy the snacks, and visit our newest exhibit, Capturing the Cosmos — Images from the James Webb Space Telescope. Activities are bilingual Spanish/English.

Out of This World Family Day activities are included with regular admission and free for MNCH members and UO ID card holders. Show your Oregon Trail or other EBT card for an admission discount.