Conservancy
Conservancy is a very important part of what we do. Conservancy is where we preserve many of the items that make up our collection and our archives. They are documented and kept safely and securely to become a part of our exhibits or exhibits in other partnered museums. From fossils and skeletal remains that have been cleaned and preserved here to artifacts from space, our conservancy holds a treasure trove of interesting items that can tickle the mind of anyone interested in science!
Our Collection
Our collection contains artifacts and objects from various scientific explorations that are cataloged and stored for use in current and future exhibits, as well as faculty and student research. Our outstanding archives are what set a museum apart from a science center. Located inside of the museum, this large collection of scientific discoveries are cataloged and, more importantly, preserved for future generations.
Our paleontology archive has nearly 150,000 specimens, including our exceptionally preserved giant camel, Megatylopus. The museum’s historic permanent collections consist primarily of ethnographic, ornithological, marine mammal, archaeological, planetarium, and archival materials, together with their associated documentation. These collections are focused on South Louisiana and the Gulf Coast and contain c.45,000 artifacts and specimens. Museum records date back to 1969 and our accession registers date back to 1977. One of the oldest specimens in the collection has been carbon dated at +/- 11,500 BCE.
The ethnographic collection is representative of many of the major cultural communities of Acadiana and Southeast Louisiana. We also have a specialized scientific research library that is part of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine and our archives document original research sponsored by the museum for more than 200 exhibits presented since 1969. We also have thousands of rocks and minerals.
Our Library
Our research space also houses a library. This is not your typical place to check out a copy of A Tale of Two Cities. Instead, the Lafayette Science Museum library houses all of our documentation, certificates, and research that make up the museum and its exhibits. With our newest partnership with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, our library is growing into an incredible collection of research material that comes from right here in the city and from a wide variety of scientific disciplines.
