Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History, Caldwell, Idaho

The Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History belongs to the College of Idaho. It is located in the southwest portion of the state bordering southeast Oregon and Northern Nevada. The museum was built to help support the college, provide a resource of information for the community, and perform scientific research. Natural history specimens are used to teach students about the animals and practices used to protect the specimens. All displays are open to the public, though school days are by appointment only. The collections house animals and plants. Volunteers are able to work at the museum and there is a library for research open to the public.

The collections have been used by national and international experts for a number of research projects. Sometimes the specimens are given on lone to other museums or institutions. The collection is one of permanent record for biodiversity around the world. Since the museum is tied to the college they are only open when classes are in session. Entry to the museum is through Boone Hall at the first level.

College programs include a number of college courses, museum workdays, taxonomic and ecological studies, the Great Basin Chapter studies of archeology, and expeditions to other states and countries. The college will send students to Australia, Baja CA, and other western states for their education.

Specifically the collections are entomology, fish, and anthropology exhibits. Under the entomology collection are numerous insects that have been found around the world. Individuals can learn about these insects, why they are important to the world, and how they can help in other fields. The fish collection is a partial donation from Richard L. Wallace. The collection has numerous species from Idaho and other locations. The anthropology collection is all about cultures of North America. The Luther Douglas Navajo Ceremonial Sandpaintings Collection is one of the largest in the world. The other two collections are the Gates- Lewis Native American Collection and the Meldrum New Guinea Collection. This collection houses baskets, jewelry, and other artifacts of the New Guinea cultures. There is even a god statue in the collection.

Orma J. Smith's Museum is not the only place the college has collections. They also have artifacts at Tucker Herbarium, Evans Gem and Mineral Collection, and the Whittenberger Planetarium. The four museums and buildings give a comprehensive look at the past.

To get residents interested in the museum, as well as tourists, there are events held each year. For example the Boise Front 4th of July Butterfly Count, BioBlitz, Friday "Escape to the Museum'', Bug Day, and other museum days are held each year. The museum employs over 20 different experts to work as curators, directors, and research associates at the museum. An interesting tool at the museum is the Corbiculacea of North America. It is a graphic key to the Musculium, Sphaerium, and Pisidium genera. The images on the poster are an outline which was created by Dr. Gerald L. Mackie at the University of Guelph.