Our collections hold specimens from around the world, while also serving as the official state archive of Vermont's flora and fauna. Scholars and students go to our collections to answer key questions about the diversity and origins of life on Earth.

Our vision is to promote understanding of the natural world and investment in sustaining it through research, curatorial work, and outreach. By bringing people into contact with natural diversity, the museum seeks to provide a broad audience with the understanding that the viability of human society depends on ensuring the future of natural systems.

Pringle Herbarium

Founded by Cyrus Pringle in 1902, it holds 380,000 sheets and is the second largest herbarium in New England.

Zadock Thompson Zoological Collections

Founded in 1826, the collections hold nearly 150,000 specimens, 90% of which are insects.
rock cross-section with wavy layers

Perkins Museum and Geological Collection

The museum is currently closed to the public; the collections are available for research.
orange sulphur butterfly

VT Collections Network

One landing page for every natural history collection in the state, including summaries of holdings, available catalogues, and contact information. Gain access to over 800,000 specimens.

View Vermont collections