FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

The Field Museum was founded in 1893 to house the natural science collections displayed at the World's Columbian Exposition. Charged with a dual mission to accumulate and disseminate knowledge about the Earth's biological and cultural diversity, the Museum is one of the world's preeminent institutions for natural science research and presents 34 popular permanent exhibitions covering 350,000 square feet as well as approximately 10 temporary exhibitions annually. Central to the Museum's success is our history of creating pioneering education programs that complement our exhibitions, facilitate unparalleled public access to our resources and make the Museum an extension of Chicago's education system. Our goal is to present the latest scientific thinking in an easily accessible manner that expands our visitors' perceptions of themselves, their communities and their world, while encouraging respect and understanding among all people. In the last 12 months, the Museum welcomed 1,350,000 visitors (including 283,000 school children), served six million people via the Internet, and conducted 4,200 education programs that engaged 834,000 children and adults.