About 

VMNH has developed a strong reputation for significant research and important collections, which now number more than 22 million items. Research at VMNH, lead by seven doctoral curators,  focuses on studies of Invertebrate Paleontology, Vertebrate Paleontology, Recent Invertebrates, Archaeology, Mammalogy, Marine Science and Geology. While the Museum’s primary geographic strengths are in Virginia and the Southeastern United States, the collections and research programs span the globe with programs in China, Peru, Brazil, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Russia and Tanzania.

The Museum's message is simple: understanding natural history is the first step toward meeting the challenges of preserving and managing natural resources in the future. From the vacationer watching birds on the shores of the Chesapeake to the garden enthusiast in Alexandria, each and every Virginian directly benefits from the ongoing research and collections programs at the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

	•	COLLECTIONS: Information about the more than 22 million items in our collections.			•	RESEARCH AREAS: Discover the fields of research that our seven curators research every day.
	•	RESEARCH LIBRARY: Offering over 7,000 books and periodicals on natural history topics.			•	VMNH SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS: Learn more about VMNH scientific publications available for purchase.
	•	VMNH SENIOR FELLOWS, RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, AND AFFILIATED RESEARCHERS			•	VMNH CURATOR BLOGS: Visit the Vertebrate Paleontology and Archaeology blogs for regular updates from the labs and from the field.