College Group Visits
With 12,000 specimens on display, your students have the opportunity to explore the museum and develop focused connections with your curriculum. You can visit as a group or purchase passes in advance for your students to visit on their own.
General Information
We require at least 2 weeks' notice to schedule a Group Visit
Harvard College Classes:
Visits are free for Harvard classes. Please email reservations at hmnhreserve@hmsc.harvard.edu to request your class visit. Please include:
- date and time of your intended visit
- name of the class
- number of students
Non-Harvard Groups:
$10.00 per college student
Instructors are free with a group reservation
Group Visits are scheduled between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, 7 days a week.
How to Schedule a Visit
Please complete the online Reservation Request Form at least two weeks in advance to begin the reservations process. We are unable to offer a discount to groups that do not pre-register.
When the request has been reviewed, you will be contacted by the Education Department to complete the reservation.
Following a confirmed reservation, you will be emailed an invoice for your visit. Please review the information carefully, and be sure to contact us if anything is incorrect. The reservations desk can be reached at hmnhreserve@hmsc.harvard.edu or by calling 617-495-2341.
Payment and Attendance Policy
We request payment by credit card, if possible, which supports our environmental sustainability goals and reduces administrative costs.
Payment is due by the day of the scheduled visit. Payment in advance is welcome. Please reach out if this is not possible for your group.
- Accepted Payment Methods: Credit Card (preferred), Cash, or Check (payable to Harvard University). Purchase Orders (PO) must be arranged with our office in advance.
- Refunds: No refunds will be issued if your group arrives with fewer people than booked.
- Headcount Changes: You may adjust your participant numbers up to three business days before your trip.
Delays and Cancellations
- Delays: If your group is running late, call (617) 495-2341 (weekdays) or (617) 495-3045 (weekends).
- Cancellations: Notify the Education Department immediately by email hmnhreserve@hmsc.harvard.edu. Groups canceling within two weeks prior to a scheduled program will be charged the full fee.
- Snow Emergencies: Groups forced to cancel the morning of their visit due to a snow emergency will not be charged and are welcome to reschedule.
Prepaid Museum Passes for Educational Institutions
Colleges, high schools, and other institutions can purchase blocks of individual tickets at the discounted group rate. Faculty, students, and staff will have the opportunity to visit at any convenient time—with or without their peers—and still benefit from the $3.00 discount.
Minimum purchase: 10 passes.
Students under 18: $10.00
College students: $10.00
Faculty/staff/adults: $15.00
To purchase passes, please email hmnhpr@hmnh.harvard.edu.
Additional Information
Educators are invited to visit the museum for free in advance to develop assignments for their students’ visits. Please contact hmnhreserve@hmsc.harvard.edu to arrange your free visit.