Dr. Edson Fichter and Dr. Sven Liljeblad gathered the collections from temporary campus storage places and prepared an exhibit in the library building opening a new era of growth on November 18, 1956. The exhibit traces the evolution of life forms seen in fossils of Idaho and features artifacts of Native Americans over an 11,000 year period. Other features are a seismograph recording earthquake activity, a high desert food web and an exhibit on Idaho's threatened and endangered species. Faculty curators from biological sciences, geology and anthropology carry out teaching and research utilizing the collections. The museum offers a course on museum history and practices describing vocational options in the museum field.
Educational programs serve visiting school classes and offer programs to schools in the region.
Programs for adults are sponsored by Friends of the Museum, the Audubon Society, the Idaho Archaeological Society and the Idaho Native Plant Society among other associations. The Museum Store offers a variety of natural history books, games, posters and toys.