More than 81 million objects are stored and displayed at the Museum of Natural History, the third oldest Smithsonian building on the Mall. This museum researches and collects material to trace the evolution and development of man and of the world in which he lives, with exhibits that include Native American, Pacific, and Asian Cultures, dinosaurs, fossils, gems and minerals.
Interesting Facts:
- The museum is home to the Hope Diamond which, at 44.5 carats, is the largest deep-blue diamond in the world.
- It took 16 bullets to kill the great African bush elephant on display in the main lobby. The elephant is 13 feet tall and weighs 12 tons. Its skin alone weighs 2000 pounds.
Don’t Miss:
- The 92-foot model of a blue whale
- The Insect Zoo
- Egyptian mummy coffins
- Moon rocks
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