Denver Museum of Nature & Science

View diorama-like exhibits of wildlife!

Elise Hatsuko

Published in

For Awe

5 min readJan 6, 2022

I absolutely loved this museum that demonstrates evolution.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has definitely been added to my list of favorite museums, and I am so blessed to have happened upon it on a free community day! I try to remain thankful and delight over the small blessings we receive from God every day.

This is a pretty large museum, with 3 floors and a variety of exhibits. It took me about 3 hours to fully enjoy everything here. This location is nice because you do not have to worry about parking as it is on-site and free.

Evolution

In order to explore the way the world has changed over time, ancient dinosaur remains are displayed. The exhibit starts with explaining the first lifeforms on earth and how they developed into today’s animals.

Dioramas

Go around the world with dioramas that feature taxidermies and environmental recreations. Learn about wildlife and see animals like you never have before!

This was definitely the highlight of the museum for me! I absolutely loved seeing these animals up-close.

Coors Hall of Gems & Minerals

Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain region, is known for its gems and minerals. Home to the Gold Rush, Colorado’s mining history is explored in this exhibit.

Most of the State’s metallic ore deposits are located in a highly mineralized zone, the Colorado Mineral Belt. The zone is puzzling in that it does not conform to the north-south direction of the mountain ranges. It extends 200 miles diagonally from Durango to the north of Boulder. Geological investigations through the years have revealed that this zone is part of an ancient system of faults related to the structure and movement of the North American continent.

Mineralization along the Colorado Mineral Belt occurred when the Rocky Mountains were gradually uplifted, beginning sixty-five million years ago. Volcanic activity released heated mineralized solutions which were channeled through the ancient faults and intruded into the fractures in the rocks along the Colorado Mineral Belt.

Aquamarine: “Seawater” at the Summit

Since the 19th century, prospectors scoured Mount Antero and its neighbor, White Moutain, for silver and gold. Instead, they found rare blue-green crystals. Its colors — aqua (“water”) & marine (“sea”) give this crystal its name.

Aquamarine, which has a hexagonal crystal structure, is closely related to emerald. Both are gemstone-quality varieties of the mineral beryl. Other beryls can be yellow, pink, or white. Aquamarine is found in Russia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Africa, and Madagascar — and in Colorado, where it was named the official state gemstone in 1971.

“The Alma King” Rhodochrosite

Sweet Home Mine, Alma, Park County, Colorado

Discovered in 1992

Gem-like beauty, incredible size, and famous locality make this mineral specimen one of the world’s best. The six-inch red crystal formed as you see it — on the wall of a narrow cavity lined with crystals of clear quartz, black sphalerite, purple fluorite, pale yellow calcite, and brassy chalcopyrite.

The exhibit also features a number of world-class specimens from around the world.

Konovalenko: Gem Carvings of Russian Folklife

Exhibitions

Survival of the Slowest

Closes January 9, 2022

Sometimes being slow has advantages. In “Survival of the Slowest” you’ll meet live animals such as a two-toed sloth, a green iguana, a chameleon, and several other species that manage to thrive in a world where large, strong, and fast animals are often at the top of the food chain.

GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World

Closes April 17, 2022

“GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World” takes you on a fascinating exploration of the science, sound, history and pop culture behind the world’s most popular instrument.

I really loved this exhibit that showcases the evolution of stringed instruments!