Bell Museum
@bellmuseum.bsky.social
Minnesota’s official natural history museum, serving learners of all ages by igniting curiosity for the natural world
It's planting season! While most gardens are bedded down for the winter, many native plant species require a cold period to germinate. Plus, the melting and thawing of snow works seeds into the soil. Last week, Learning Landscape Gardener Alex Wegrzyn helped students spread new seed at the Bell.
November 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
It's planting season! While most gardens are bedded down for the winter, many native plant species require a cold period to germinate. Plus, the melting and thawing of snow works seeds into the soil. Last week, Learning Landscape Gardener Alex Wegrzyn helped students spread new seed at the Bell.
We're so proud of Bell Curator of Birds Dr. Sushma Reddy, featured at the British Ornithologists' Union conference this year. Check out her thread! #BOUasm25
1/ 🧵 I'm at #BOUasm25 A day at the museum to talk about using natural history collections to build inclusive community.
Natural history #museums are undergoing a renaissance of novel research.
However -who has access to collections? -who is being left out of biodiversity research?
#ornithology
Natural history #museums are undergoing a renaissance of novel research.
However -who has access to collections? -who is being left out of biodiversity research?
#ornithology
November 18, 2025 at 7:21 PM
We're so proud of Bell Curator of Birds Dr. Sushma Reddy, featured at the British Ornithologists' Union conference this year. Check out her thread! #BOUasm25
For a few brief and beautiful minutes last night, Minnesotans across the state stopped what they were doing to step outside and catch a glimpse of the aurora. These photos were taken at the Bell by Planetarium Manager Sally Brummel.
Did you experience the aurora last night? Send us your pictures!
Did you experience the aurora last night? Send us your pictures!
November 12, 2025 at 5:15 PM
For a few brief and beautiful minutes last night, Minnesotans across the state stopped what they were doing to step outside and catch a glimpse of the aurora. These photos were taken at the Bell by Planetarium Manager Sally Brummel.
Did you experience the aurora last night? Send us your pictures!
Did you experience the aurora last night? Send us your pictures!
Reposted by Bell Museum
Happy #FossilFriday! It’s #GarWeek so check out these 50 million year old #gar fish from #Utah at the Science Museum of Minnesota! This genus, Lepisosteus, goes back to the Cretaceous and is still swimming today! Thanks to @bellmuseum.bsky.social & @garlab.bsky.social for hyping these cool #fish!
November 7, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Happy #FossilFriday! It’s #GarWeek so check out these 50 million year old #gar fish from #Utah at the Science Museum of Minnesota! This genus, Lepisosteus, goes back to the Cretaceous and is still swimming today! Thanks to @bellmuseum.bsky.social & @garlab.bsky.social for hyping these cool #fish!
Reposted by Bell Museum
You can hear Brandon Kilbourne read from Natural History this Wednesday at the U's @bellmuseum.bsky.social! @graywolfpress.bsky.social
events.tc.umn.edu/event/25210-...
events.tc.umn.edu/event/25210-...
Since 1999, the Cave Canem Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of Black poets, has awarded an annual prize to a debut poetry collection.
A Louisiana author has won the Cave Canem Poetry Prize for his debut poetry collection
Since 1999, the Cave Canem Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of Black poets, has awarded an annual prize to a debut poetry collection.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM
You can hear Brandon Kilbourne read from Natural History this Wednesday at the U's @bellmuseum.bsky.social! @graywolfpress.bsky.social
events.tc.umn.edu/event/25210-...
events.tc.umn.edu/event/25210-...
Salvage Wildlife, Statewide! Bell curatorial staff Dr. Keith Barker and Sam Getty recently visited Salvage Wildlife partner Concordia College to teach a crash course on bird-prepping.
Volunteer specimen preppers learned the ins-and-outs of turning a salvaged bird carcass into a scientific specimen!
Volunteer specimen preppers learned the ins-and-outs of turning a salvaged bird carcass into a scientific specimen!
November 11, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Salvage Wildlife, Statewide! Bell curatorial staff Dr. Keith Barker and Sam Getty recently visited Salvage Wildlife partner Concordia College to teach a crash course on bird-prepping.
Volunteer specimen preppers learned the ins-and-outs of turning a salvaged bird carcass into a scientific specimen!
Volunteer specimen preppers learned the ins-and-outs of turning a salvaged bird carcass into a scientific specimen!
Nostalgia, conversation, & climate are central to a new art installation at the Bell, Face to Face: 20 Questions that Lead to Loving the Planet. Read more about this art experience by MN artist Alyssa Baguss in our latest blog post! https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/face-to-face-with-alyssa-baguss
Face to Face with Alyssa Baguss - Bell Museum
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu
November 9, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Nostalgia, conversation, & climate are central to a new art installation at the Bell, Face to Face: 20 Questions that Lead to Loving the Planet. Read more about this art experience by MN artist Alyssa Baguss in our latest blog post! https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/face-to-face-with-alyssa-baguss
The climate is changing, but where do you fit in? Join us for Spotlight Science: Climate Action and YOU! on November 15 to find tips on how you can make large and small changes to build your climate action footprint.
https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/event/spotlight-science-climate-action-and-you/
https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/event/spotlight-science-climate-action-and-you/
Spotlight Science: Climate Action and YOU! - Bell Museum
Join us November 15 to learn resources and tips on how you can make large and small changes to build your climate action footprint.
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu
November 8, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The climate is changing, but where do you fit in? Join us for Spotlight Science: Climate Action and YOU! on November 15 to find tips on how you can make large and small changes to build your climate action footprint.
https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/event/spotlight-science-climate-action-and-you/
https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/event/spotlight-science-climate-action-and-you/
Meet the Astronomy Educators that are behind the scenes of your favorite planetarium experiences! Read our recent blog post to learn more! Find it at: https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/meet-our-astronomy-educators/
Meet our Astronomy Educators! - Bell Museum
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu
October 18, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Meet the Astronomy Educators that are behind the scenes of your favorite planetarium experiences! Read our recent blog post to learn more! Find it at: https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/meet-our-astronomy-educators/
Come see us at ConFluence 2025!
This year, the Bell Museum will be at ConFluence: Futures in Color. This 2-day convention in NE Minneapolis celebrates art, sci-fi, futurisms, and fantasy centered on content by and for Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color.
www.confluencemn.com
This year, the Bell Museum will be at ConFluence: Futures in Color. This 2-day convention in NE Minneapolis celebrates art, sci-fi, futurisms, and fantasy centered on content by and for Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color.
www.confluencemn.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Come see us at ConFluence 2025!
This year, the Bell Museum will be at ConFluence: Futures in Color. This 2-day convention in NE Minneapolis celebrates art, sci-fi, futurisms, and fantasy centered on content by and for Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color.
www.confluencemn.com
This year, the Bell Museum will be at ConFluence: Futures in Color. This 2-day convention in NE Minneapolis celebrates art, sci-fi, futurisms, and fantasy centered on content by and for Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color.
www.confluencemn.com
Something to chew on while you read... patrons at the Austin Public Library get to "check out" a real mammoth tooth, thanks to a loan from the Bell Museum!
Specimen loans are just another way we bring natural history education statewide. If you're in Austin, go say hello to the big tooth!
Specimen loans are just another way we bring natural history education statewide. If you're in Austin, go say hello to the big tooth!
October 14, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Something to chew on while you read... patrons at the Austin Public Library get to "check out" a real mammoth tooth, thanks to a loan from the Bell Museum!
Specimen loans are just another way we bring natural history education statewide. If you're in Austin, go say hello to the big tooth!
Specimen loans are just another way we bring natural history education statewide. If you're in Austin, go say hello to the big tooth!
This past week, we were honored to host the GLPA+WAC conference! The GLPA+WAC conference is the largest gathering of planetarium experts in the Great Lakes region. The week included informational sessions, planetarium shows, & a constellation shootout, where attendees tested constellation knowledge.
October 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM
This past week, we were honored to host the GLPA+WAC conference! The GLPA+WAC conference is the largest gathering of planetarium experts in the Great Lakes region. The week included informational sessions, planetarium shows, & a constellation shootout, where attendees tested constellation knowledge.
This Saturday, catch Finding Fungi, a planetarium show created by the Minnesota Mycological Society! Finding Fungi is screening as part of FungiFest, an all day fungal celebration. More at: https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/event/spotlight-science-fungifest-9-27-25/
Spotlight Science: FungiFest - Bell Museum
Uncover the hidden world of mushrooms when you drop by the Bell Museum on September 27 for a day of fungi fun!
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu
September 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
This Saturday, catch Finding Fungi, a planetarium show created by the Minnesota Mycological Society! Finding Fungi is screening as part of FungiFest, an all day fungal celebration. More at: https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/event/spotlight-science-fungifest-9-27-25/
It's almost time for this year's Statewide Star Party! From Sept 17-20, host sites throughout Minnesota will become activated with astronomical celebrations. Find a location near you at www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/2025-statewi...
📸: Jeffers Petroglyphs
📸: Jeffers Petroglyphs
September 17, 2025 at 3:54 PM
It's almost time for this year's Statewide Star Party! From Sept 17-20, host sites throughout Minnesota will become activated with astronomical celebrations. Find a location near you at www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/2025-statewi...
📸: Jeffers Petroglyphs
📸: Jeffers Petroglyphs
Calling current UMN students! We’re hiring for two student positions — Museum Guides and Planetarium Assistants! If you’re interested in connecting people to nature, science, and astronomy, these positions might be a good fit for you! Apply by Sept 15.
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/employment/
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/employment/
September 12, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Calling current UMN students! We’re hiring for two student positions — Museum Guides and Planetarium Assistants! If you’re interested in connecting people to nature, science, and astronomy, these positions might be a good fit for you! Apply by Sept 15.
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/employment/
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/employment/
How are natural history specimens created? 🐦
Recently, we hosted our annual event, Expeditions. At this event, Bell scientists demonstrate how to prepare natural history specimens. Read more about this year’s Expeditions in our recent blog post.
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/expedit...
Recently, we hosted our annual event, Expeditions. At this event, Bell scientists demonstrate how to prepare natural history specimens. Read more about this year’s Expeditions in our recent blog post.
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/expedit...
Expeditions 2025 - Bell Museum
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu
September 2, 2025 at 11:45 PM
How are natural history specimens created? 🐦
Recently, we hosted our annual event, Expeditions. At this event, Bell scientists demonstrate how to prepare natural history specimens. Read more about this year’s Expeditions in our recent blog post.
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/expedit...
Recently, we hosted our annual event, Expeditions. At this event, Bell scientists demonstrate how to prepare natural history specimens. Read more about this year’s Expeditions in our recent blog post.
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/expedit...
That’s a wrap for this year’s summer camps!
Yesterday was our last day of summer camps at the Bell. Our summer camps are a huge team effort and wouldn’t be possible without all our amazing camp staff, educators, and you! Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s camps out of this world 🚀
Yesterday was our last day of summer camps at the Bell. Our summer camps are a huge team effort and wouldn’t be possible without all our amazing camp staff, educators, and you! Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s camps out of this world 🚀
August 21, 2025 at 9:13 PM
That’s a wrap for this year’s summer camps!
Yesterday was our last day of summer camps at the Bell. Our summer camps are a huge team effort and wouldn’t be possible without all our amazing camp staff, educators, and you! Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s camps out of this world 🚀
Yesterday was our last day of summer camps at the Bell. Our summer camps are a huge team effort and wouldn’t be possible without all our amazing camp staff, educators, and you! Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s camps out of this world 🚀
Find us at the MN State Fair!
• STEM Day in Dan Patch Park on Thur, Aug 21
• Eco Experience on Sat, Aug 23, & Sun, Aug 24
• #UMN Crossroads Building on Mon, Aug 25
Meet our team, connect science, and learn more about what Minnesota’s state natural history museum has to offer!
• STEM Day in Dan Patch Park on Thur, Aug 21
• Eco Experience on Sat, Aug 23, & Sun, Aug 24
• #UMN Crossroads Building on Mon, Aug 25
Meet our team, connect science, and learn more about what Minnesota’s state natural history museum has to offer!
August 20, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Find us at the MN State Fair!
• STEM Day in Dan Patch Park on Thur, Aug 21
• Eco Experience on Sat, Aug 23, & Sun, Aug 24
• #UMN Crossroads Building on Mon, Aug 25
Meet our team, connect science, and learn more about what Minnesota’s state natural history museum has to offer!
• STEM Day in Dan Patch Park on Thur, Aug 21
• Eco Experience on Sat, Aug 23, & Sun, Aug 24
• #UMN Crossroads Building on Mon, Aug 25
Meet our team, connect science, and learn more about what Minnesota’s state natural history museum has to offer!
Do you have an assemblage of agates, a collection of coins, a plethora of Pez dispensers? We want to see all the strange and wonderful things you collect — apply to share your collection at Collectors Day!
Applications are open until Sept 28. www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/collectors-d...
Applications are open until Sept 28. www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/collectors-d...
Collectors Day 2025 - Bell Museum
Join us November 1, 2025 for a daylong event where members of the community are invited to share and showcase their own personal collections.
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu
August 14, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Do you have an assemblage of agates, a collection of coins, a plethora of Pez dispensers? We want to see all the strange and wonderful things you collect — apply to share your collection at Collectors Day!
Applications are open until Sept 28. www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/collectors-d...
Applications are open until Sept 28. www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/collectors-d...
What’s better than a meteor shower? Two meteor showers!
Peaking on July 30, the Aquariid and Capricornid meteor showers are two celestial shows to catch this summer. Head out between midnight and the early morning to catch potentially dozens of meteors per hour!
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Peaking on July 30, the Aquariid and Capricornid meteor showers are two celestial shows to catch this summer. Head out between midnight and the early morning to catch potentially dozens of meteors per hour!
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
How to watch two meteor showers peak together in late July
It's almost time to catch summer's double meteor showers. The Southern Delta Aquariid and Alpha Capricornid meteor showers peak in the early morning of July 30. With minimal interference from moonligh...
www.mprnews.org
July 28, 2025 at 8:16 PM
What’s better than a meteor shower? Two meteor showers!
Peaking on July 30, the Aquariid and Capricornid meteor showers are two celestial shows to catch this summer. Head out between midnight and the early morning to catch potentially dozens of meteors per hour!
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Peaking on July 30, the Aquariid and Capricornid meteor showers are two celestial shows to catch this summer. Head out between midnight and the early morning to catch potentially dozens of meteors per hour!
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Reposted by Bell Museum
Immerse yourself in MSP LTER urban ecological research at the Bell Museum's (@bellmuseum.bsky.social) Solution Studio, the award-winning makerspace where everyone is an ecologist! Learn more in today's #MinnesotaDaily article featuring our partnership w/ the Bell z.umn.edu/SolutionStudio25-News. 1/2
UMN Bell Museum provides summer space to connect and learn about ecological research
This summer, at the University of Minnesota’s Bell Museum, visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in hands-on scientific research through a dedicated summer exhibit the museum calls the S...
z.umn.edu
July 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Immerse yourself in MSP LTER urban ecological research at the Bell Museum's (@bellmuseum.bsky.social) Solution Studio, the award-winning makerspace where everyone is an ecologist! Learn more in today's #MinnesotaDaily article featuring our partnership w/ the Bell z.umn.edu/SolutionStudio25-News. 1/2
Fossils and plants: two things we love at the Bell! Researchers from the University of Florida and @floridamuseum.bsky.social discovered a new ancient family of plants - read how the Bell’s one million plant specimens helped contribute to the discovery!
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/paleobo...
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/paleobo...
Paleobotanists Solve a Fossil Mystery in the Bell Herbarium - Bell Museum
Bell Research Associate Walt Judd identified a new family of plants from the Eocene era, with help from the Bell Museum Herbarium.
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu
April 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Fossils and plants: two things we love at the Bell! Researchers from the University of Florida and @floridamuseum.bsky.social discovered a new ancient family of plants - read how the Bell’s one million plant specimens helped contribute to the discovery!
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/paleobo...
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/paleobo...
Congratulations to Bell affiliate @pjhundt.bsky.social on his recent publication, which describes several new species of studfish! Peter Hundt has added many fish specimens to the Bell’s collections. Read more about his research in our blog post: www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/newly-d...
Phylogenomic species delimitation of studfishes (Fundulidae: Fundulus ): evidence for cryptic species in agreement with the central highlands vicariance hypothesis
| Zootaxa
www.mapress.com
March 28, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Congratulations to Bell affiliate @pjhundt.bsky.social on his recent publication, which describes several new species of studfish! Peter Hundt has added many fish specimens to the Bell’s collections. Read more about his research in our blog post: www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/blog/newly-d...
Reposted by Bell Museum
Congrats to @bellmuseum.bsky.social for being honored with the Impact Goals Award from @arisimpacts.bsky.social. The museum was recognized for Solution Studio, recurring makerspace that showcases current science from U of Minnesota and the researchers who conduct it. www.astc.org/science-and-...
Bell Museum honored with ARIS Impact Goals Award - Association of Science and Technology Centers
The Bell Museum at the University of Minnesota, which serves as the state’s official natural history museum, has been honored with the Impact Goals Award from the Center for Advancing Research Impact ...
www.astc.org
March 24, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Congrats to @bellmuseum.bsky.social for being honored with the Impact Goals Award from @arisimpacts.bsky.social. The museum was recognized for Solution Studio, recurring makerspace that showcases current science from U of Minnesota and the researchers who conduct it. www.astc.org/science-and-...
We’re thrilled to share that @arisimpacts.bsky.social has awarded the Bell’s Solution Studio the 2025 Impact Goals Award! Solution Studio, our recurring makerspace, has featured the work of scientists working on urban ecology, as part of the @msp-lter.bsky.social
researchinsociety.org/awards-2025/
researchinsociety.org/awards-2025/
March 21, 2025 at 4:48 PM
We’re thrilled to share that @arisimpacts.bsky.social has awarded the Bell’s Solution Studio the 2025 Impact Goals Award! Solution Studio, our recurring makerspace, has featured the work of scientists working on urban ecology, as part of the @msp-lter.bsky.social
researchinsociety.org/awards-2025/
researchinsociety.org/awards-2025/