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On March 1, 1872 the Minnesota legislature approved "An Act to provide for a geological and natural history survey of the state..." and in turn, that "natural history and geological specimens be prepared, and museum to be established at the university."
The Bell Museum of Natural History was born! 140 years later, the Bell Museum still serves as the cradle of innovation for science and culture at the University of Minnesota.
• FREE cake for the first 140 visitors to the museum at 2 p.m.
• Visit from University of Minnesota mascot Goldy Gopher
Plus... Birthday cake will be served at BIG Thursday on the evening of March 1, 2012.
"I have nice memories of going to the Bell Museum. I grew up in northern Minnesota in the 70's. My mother would take me to the Bell after doctor's appointments at the U. I still remember the dioramas especially the beaver lodge." – Eric Beckman