The Orma J. Smith Museum is the only natural history museum in southwestern Idaho, southeastern Oregon and northern Nevada. Its purposes are three-fold:
- To support the
educational programs of The College of Idaho.
Natural history specimens are used in teaching and students are employed in various museum activities. - To provide a
resource to the community
The displays are open to the public (most school days or by special appointment). The collections are used for identification of animal and plant specimens brought in by the public. Volunteers from the community also assist in maintaining the museum collections and library. - To house resources
for scientific research
The collections are used by national and international experts for a variety of research projects. Loans of specimens to and from other institutions are continually being made. The collections are a permanent record of the region thus preserving examples of biodiversity for perpetuity.
The Museum is open to the public when College of Idaho classes are in session, entry through main entrances to Boone Hall at first level. To arrange for group tours call JoAnn Bellon.