Guided Tours

The museum is open to the public during the regular school year. Guided tours of the SMSU Museum of Natural History are available year-around by appointment. Reservations for a group tour can be made using the contact information below. Tour fees may be applicable according to group size.

The tours are very popular among regional K-12 students and their teachers. Approximately 3000 elementary students visit the museum each year. A tour of the Museum can be coordinated with a visit to the Planetarium and Greenhouse for a nominal fee.

How to Book a Tour

Email Dr. Kenneth Murphy (ken.murphy@smsu.edu) with the following information:

• Name of school or organization,
• person arranging visit,
• age of visitors,
• number of people attending,
• mailing address,
• phone number and/or email address,
• date and time you would like to visit
  (you may want to pick more than one date and time in order of preference).

If you have any special requests, let us know in advance and we will try to accommodate you. There is no minimum group size. However, weekend and evening tours may entail an additional cost. Some suggestions for the best time to request a tour are on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. If the time you request is not possible, staff will suggest the closest possible date and time. If these times still don't work, staff will try to accommodate to your request.

If you would like to coordinate a viewing of the SMSU Planetarium or SMSU Greenhouse, please indicate this in your email. During the warmer months, we also have nature trails in our wildlife area located on the northwest property of campus. We encourage the public to take a walk and experience the wildlife and prairie plants that make Southwest Minnesota their home.

Contact Information

Science Department, Natural History Museum
SM 178
Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State Street * Marshall, MN 56258
Ph: (507) 537-6178 * Fax: (507) 537-6151
Email: science@smsu.edu 

Dr.Thomas Dilley, Professor of Environmental Science
Ph: (507) 537-6196, Email: thomas.dilley@smsu.edu 

Dr. Kenneth Murphy, Professor of Physics
Ph: (507) 537-6173, Email: Ken.Murphy@smsu.edu