American Museum of Natural History

What American Museum of Natural History does

The American Museum of Natural History is a 501(c)(3) scientific and cultural institution founded in 1869 and headquartered on four city blocks adjacent to Central Park in Manhattan (200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024). It operates over 40 permanent exhibition halls, the Rose Center for Earth and Space (housing the Hayden Planetarium), the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation, and a research apparatus spanning divisions in Anthropology, Invertebrate Zoology, Paleontology, Physical Sciences (Astrophysics; Earth and Planetary Sciences), and Vertebrate Zoology. The institution serves a multi-segment audience: families with children (via ticketed exhibitions, the Night at the Museum sleepovers at $225/person, and seven membership tiers from $139 to $1,250), NYC public school and camp groups (free general admission plus free ticketed exhibitions), corporate and adult groups (minimum 20, discounted rates), and tourists. Technology platforms include the iOS/Android Explorer mobile app with multi-language turn-by-turn directions and accessible routing, an online ticketing system, and partnership-driven immersive experiences such as the Invisible Worlds 360-degree theater.

Name

American Museum of Natural History

Legal name

American Museum of Natural History

Website

https://amnh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1869

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The American Museum of Natural History is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1869 in Manhattan that operates 40+ permanent halls, the Hayden Planetarium, and active scientific research divisions, serving families, NYC school groups, tourists, and members through admissions, exhibitions, sleepovers, and memberships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural History Museum

NAICS

Museums (71211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Natural History Museums (THAJADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG)

Keywords

• Natural history museum
• Scientific exhibitions
• Planetarium shows
• Educational programs
• Museum membership

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. General Admission Tickets: Entry fees for museum access with pay-what-you-wish pricing for NY State residents and standard pricing for out-of-state visitors. General admission includes access to over 40 permanent halls.
2. Ticketed Exhibitions: Additional fee exhibitions including Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium, Invisible Worlds immersive experience, Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs, and Hayden Planetarium Space Show.
3. Membership Program: Annual membership tiers from $139 (Adult) to $1,250 (Insider) providing free admission, discounts, early access to events, and other benefits. Revenue is recurring and provides predictable income.
4. Special Events - Sleepovers: Overnight 'Night at the Museum' experiences at $225 per person with add-ons including Snoozer Bundle, Field Fuel Box meals, and Celebration Announcements.
5. Retail Shops: Multiple museum shops including Museum Shop, Gilder Gift Shop, Invisible Worlds Shop, Dino Store, Cosmic Shop, and online store. All proceeds support science and education.
6. Food and Beverage: Four dining options including The Restaurant at Gilder (table-service), Food Court, Cafe on 1, and Cafe on 4. Members receive 15% discount.
7. Donations: Annual Fund donations supporting museum programs, exhibitions, and research. Special campaigns like the $100,000 Annual Fund goal mentioned.
8. Group Bookings: Adult group visits (minimum 20 people) at discounted rates for corporate, college, and senior groups. School field trips with free admission for NYC schools.
9. Parking: On-site parking garage with hourly and daily rates up to $55, plus EV charging stations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The American Museum of Natural History is a nonprofit scientific and cultural institution that operates one of the world's largest natural history museums in New York City. It offers general admission to over 40 permanent exhibition halls covering natural history, space, dinosaurs, ocean life, biodiversity, and human origins, supplemented by ticketed special exhibitions, immersive planetarium and theater experiences, educational programs, overnight sleepovers, retail shops, dining, and a mobile application.

Product overview

The American Museum of Natural History offers a unified visitor experience combining general admission to over 40 permanent halls with optional ticketed exhibitions and special programs. The core offering includes permanent exhibition halls covering natural history, space, dinosaurs, ocean life, and human origins. Ticketed add-ons include the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium, Encounters in the Milky Way planetarium show, Invisible Worlds immersive experience, and Impact dinosaur extinction exhibition. The institution also offers educational programs including field trips, overnight sleepovers (Night at the Museum), and the OLogy kids science website. Additional services include dining facilities, museum shops, and the Explorer mobile app for navigation. The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation and the Rose Center for Earth and Space serve as major facilities anchoring the visitor experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OLogy: The Science Website for Kids - features games, activities, videos, and science information for children
• Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation
• Hayden Planetarium
• A Night at the Museum

Products and services

• General Admission Entry ticket providing access to more than 40 permanent exhibition halls covering natural history, space, dinosaurs, ocean life, biodiversity, world cultures, gems, minerals, and human origins. Pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents; standard pricing for others.
• Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium Year-round tropical butterfly exhibit featuring up to 80 species of free-flying butterflies among lush vegetation, a pupae incubator, and interactive displays. Add-on ticketed exhibition.
• Encounters in the Milky Way (Hayden Planetarium Space Show) Immersive space show in the Hayden Planetarium exploring cosmic movements that shape the galactic neighborhood, narrated by Pedro Pascal and developed using NASA and European Space Agency Gaia mission data.
• Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs Exhibition exploring the asteroid impact 66 million years ago that led to dinosaur extinction, featuring life-size models and immersive panoramic video.
• Invisible Worlds Immersive Experience Immersive 360-degree experience exploring nature's hidden realms and how all life on Earth is connected, based on authentic scientific data. Inaugurally sponsored by Raymond James.
• Goal Zone Interactive soccer experience featuring digital simulators, kick velocity testing, body movement-controlled games, and foosball stations for all ages. Part of the World Cup, World Cultures series.
• A Night at the Museum: The Overnight Experience Overnight sleepover program for children ages 6-12 and their chaperones, featuring flashlight tours, activities, and sleeping under the Blue Whale at $225 per person.
• Museum Memberships Tiered annual membership program ranging from $139 (Adult) to $1,250 (Insider), providing free general admission, free ticketed exhibitions, member entrance, shop/dining/parking discounts, and exclusive event access.
• Field Trips and School Programs Educational field trip programs for K-12 school and camp groups with curriculum-aligned educator guides. Free admission for NYC schools with valid reservation; discounted rates for non-NYC schools.
• Adult Group Visits Group bookings for corporate, college, and senior organizations requiring a minimum of 20 people, offering discounted rates for general admission and ticketed exhibitions.
• Museum Shops Multiple on-site retail locations including Museum Shop, Gilder Gift Shop, Invisible Worlds Shop, Dino Store, and Cosmic Shop, plus an online store selling merchandise inspired by museum collections.
• Museum Dining Options Four on-site dining options including The Restaurant at Gilder (table-service), Food Court, Cafe on 1, and Cafe on 4. Members receive a 15% discount.
• Explorer Mobile App Free mobile application providing interactive museum map, turn-by-turn directions to exhibits and amenities, accessible route options, and multi-language support (English, Spanish, French, Portuguese).
• Guided Tours Free daily highlight tours offered in multiple languages, plus specialized spotlight tours and accessible tours for visitors with disabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free admission for all NYC school and camp groups with valid reservations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• National Geographic Documentary FilmsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 March 2026Produced Oscar-nominee Sara Dosa's documentary 'Time and Water' as opening film for 2026 Margaret Mead Film Festival. Festival runs May 1-3, 2026.
• WileycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026Collaborative project to build comprehensive Raman spectral database from museum's collection of over 120,000 mineral specimens and 5,000 gems. Data will be made available to researchers worldwide through Wiley's KnowItAll analytical chemistry software and online SpectraBase spectral database. First data installment expected spring 2026. Supports museum's goal to digitize its collection.
• Princeton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research collaboration on evolutionary biology. Researchers from both institutions published study in Royal Society Open Science on link between bird brain size and large egg laying across mammals, birds, and reptiles.
• EcoTarium (Worcester, Massachusetts)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEcoTarium hosting 'The Secret World of Elephants' science exhibition developed by American Museum of Natural History. 6,400 sq. ft. exhibit expected to attract 100,000+ visitors. Running March 7 through September 7, 2026 during EcoTarium's 200th anniversary year.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA provided major support and partnership for 'Encounters in the Milky Way' Hayden Planetarium Space Show. Show uses data from ESA's Gaia mission for stellar mapping.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreTechnology or IntegrationGaia mission data used for 'Encounters in the Milky Way' space show, providing mapping of precise positions, distances, and motions of nearly 2 billion stars.
• Black in Natural History Museums organizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization that produced the Black in Natural History Museums exhibition profiling 17 modern and historical Black scientists, artists, and curators.
• Madame Tussauds New YorkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided wax figures of soccer superstars for Goal Zone interactive soccer exhibit photo opportunities.
• Seaver Autism Center at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on development of Discovery Squad program for neurodivergent children ages 5-12 and their families.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: The Smithsonian's natural history museum in Washington, D.C. is the closest direct peer: a major free-admission natural history museum with comparable research divisions, dinosaur and gem halls, and a similar mix of education, exhibitions, and scientific collections.
• Field Museum: Chicago-based natural history museum with comparable research collections, dinosaur exhibits (Sue the T. rex), ticketed special exhibitions, and membership/school programs that compete for the same family and tourist audience.
• California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco natural history institution combining aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum under one roof with research programs, sleepovers, and ticketed special exhibitions—operating a very similar diversified revenue model.
• Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: Los Angeles natural history museum with permanent and rotating exhibits, research collections, membership tiers, and school programs directly comparable to AMNH's mix of exhibits, science, and education.
• Museum of Science, Boston: Boston science museum with strong exhibit-driven visitation, IMAX theater (comparable to Hayden Planetarium), school programs, and membership model; competes for family STEM leisure spend in the U.S. market.
• Carnegie Museum of Natural History: Pittsburgh natural history museum with dinosaur hall, research collections, and educational programs at a smaller scale; comparable in mission and operating structure (private nonprofit natural history museum with ticketed exhibitions and memberships).
• Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Denver museum combining natural history, space (planetarium), and IMAX theater with research programs, school field trips, and membership tiers—closely mirroring AMNH's diversified science-and-exhibits model.
• Royal Ontario Museum: Toronto's large multi-disciplinary museum of natural history, world cultures, and science with research, school programs, and ticketed special exhibitions—an international direct peer in scale and programming mix.
• The Franklin Institute: Philadelphia science museum with planetarium/IMAX, sleepovers, school programs, and ticketed special exhibitions—comparable to AMNH's science-education, event-driven, and family-leisure offering.
• Perot Museum of Nature and Science: Dallas science and natural history museum with permanent and traveling exhibits, school programs, and membership tiers—mirrors AMNH's family/education/exhibits model in a different metro.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/amnh
• Facebookfacebook.com/naturalhistory
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-museum-of-natural-history

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Museum of Natural History