Goldy Gopher visiting the student staff (and snakes) in the Touch & See Lab.

Who We Are

Inspire, explore, create

We are Minnesota’s official natural history museum, established by the legislature in 1872 and held in trust by the University of Minnesota. For over a century, the museum has preserved and interpreted our state’s rich natural history and served learners of all ages. Additionally, our scientific collections contain over one million specimens, representing every county in Minnesota and various locales around the globe.

Mission

The Bell ignites and sustains curiosity for nature and the universe.

Vision

The Bell envisions a hopeful future where all are inspired by nature and empowered by science.

Values

Wonder. We nourish a lifelong love for nature and the sciences through interactivity, discovery, awe-inspiring experiences, and the arts and humanities.

Inquiry. We embrace deeper understanding of the world through research, collections, and broad collaborations.

Engagement. We empower people to connect with Minnesota’s unique place in the world by making science meaningful, relevant, and accessible.

Guiding Principles

Collaboration. We value our visitors, partners, and the experiences we create together, which enrich and extend our learning and service.

Sustainability. We consider our impact to future generations as we make decisions for today.

Inclusion. We seek to transform the role of science and museums to connect with communities of all identities, especially those that have been historically excluded and sidelined.

Integrity. We strive for excellence in all that we do, guided by honesty, transparency, and accountability.

Diversity & Inclusion

We believe it is essential to create an environment that welcomes and empowers people from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities to have equitable access to the museum’s resources as well as opportunities to transform our work. We are committed to upholding the diversity, equity, and inclusion definitions and values set forth by the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and the University of Minnesota.

These values will be integrated in all aspects of the museum, including:

Hiring, recruitment, retention, and advancement of staff and volunteers
Selection and evaluation of program and exhibition content
Providing meaningful opportunities to participate in planning and leadership

Facing Change

In 2019, the Bell Museum was selected as one of 51 museums to participate in the American Alliance of Museums Facing Change: Advancing Museum Board Diversity and Inclusion initiative. This three-year initiative is supported generously by $4 million in grant funding to AAM, which will provide a path forward for museums to build and maintain inclusive cultures and reflect the voices that diverse communities represent.

We will join nine other arts, science and culture institutions in the Twin Cities as part of Facing Change. Over the past year, the Bell Museum staff and board have participated in individual and group learning sessions that will impact how the museum operates now and into the future.

As we prepare for the museum’s 150th anniversary in 2022, we find it critical to take the time to ensure our foundation is truly grounded in the community we serve.

Smithsonian Affiliate

The Bell Museum is pleased to announce that it has been designated a Smithsonian Affiliate. Smithsonian Affiliations is a national outreach program that develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums, educational, and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian resources. The Bell Museum joins a network of more than 200 organizations in association with the Smithsonian in nearly all states, Puerto Rico, and Panama. More information is available at www.affiliations.si.edu.