May Natural History Museum | Colorado Springs

Information

Landmark: May Natural History Museum
City: Colorado Springs
Country: USA Colorado
Continent: North America

May Natural History Museum, Colorado Springs, USA Colorado, North America

The May Natural History Museum is a zoological museum located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It houses a collection of insects and other invertebrates.

Visual Characteristics

The museum building is a single-story structure constructed primarily of concrete block. Its exterior is painted a neutral beige. The interior exhibition space features glass display cases housing preserved specimens. The building's footprint is approximately 5,000 square feet.

Location & Access Logistics

The museum is situated at 717 North Tejon Street in Colorado Springs. It is approximately 1.5 miles north of the city center. On-street parking is available on Tejon Street and adjacent side streets. Public transport options include the Colorado Springs Metro bus system; Route 3 stops within a 0.2-mile walk of the museum entrance.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The May Natural History Museum was founded by Ira B. May, an entomologist. The collection began accumulating in the early 20th century, with the current building constructed in the 1950s to house the specimens. The museum's purpose is to document and display insect biodiversity.

Key Highlights & Activities

Observation of the extensive insect collection, including butterflies, beetles, and spiders. Examination of detailed dioramas depicting insect habitats. Educational displays on insect anatomy and life cycles.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on-site. Limited seating is provided within the exhibition area. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally reliable within the building. No food vendors are located directly at the museum; options are available in the downtown area.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open year-round during standard business hours. Mid-morning or mid-afternoon visits typically offer fewer crowds. No specific weather or tide conditions affect access or viewing.

Facts & Legends

The museum's collection contains over 100,000 specimens, many collected by Ira B. May himself during his extensive fieldwork. A notable exhibit features a rare specimen of the Colorado Hairstreak butterfly, the official state insect of Colorado.