哈佛自然历史博物馆成立于1998年。虽然该博物馆是个相对比较新的机构，其 根源和母馆——比较动物学博物馆、哈佛大学植物标本馆、矿物和地理博物馆，可以 追溯到19世纪。母馆大约拥有2100万种标本，只有一小部分在自然博物馆的展览馆 展出。成立自然历史博物馆的目的在于加强和提高公众对自然界和人类世界的认识和 鉴赏能力，激发不同年龄的人的好奇心和探索精神。

　　With this aim in mind，the Museum has come up with many ideas to attract the public’s attention and interest. First, there are permanent exhibits and special exhibits. The permanent exhibits are on exhibition all year long and are held respectively in the Great Mammal Hall, Evolution, Arthropods: Creature and Rule, the Glass Flowers, the Zoological Galleries, and the Mineralogical and Geological Gallery. These exhibits are unique and cannot be found anywhere else in New England. The special exhibits present unique and diverse perspectives on the changing world: its past, present, and possible futures. Therefore, the special exhibits will display different things with different themes at different times.

　　怀着这个目标，自然历史博物馆想出了很多吸引公众注意力和兴趣的方法。首 先，展览分为常设展和特别展。常设展全年都有，分别 在大型哺乳动物馆、自然演变馆、节肢动物馆、玻璃花馆、动物学馆、矿物和地质馆里举行。这些展品都是独一无 二的，在新英格兰的其他地方是找不到的。特别展主要 向人们展示这个不断变化的世界：其过去、现在和可能 的未来，以及与这些变换有关的各种各样的独特的观点。

　　所以，特别展会在不同时间展出不同主题的东西。

　　In addition to those exhibits, there are lectures and classes for both adults and kids. These lectures and classes are given and taught by renowned authors, Harvard faculty, and other scientists. The purpose is to excite the public interest in natural history. Not only individuals are encouraged to come, but schools are encouraged to organize the students to visit the Museum. Therefore, the Museum has offered the opportunities for school children to visit the museum after school and to study at the museum.

　　除这些展品外，还有为大人和孩子开设的讲座和课 程。这些讲座和课程由知名作家、哈佛教授以及其他科 学家担任主讲，目的是激起公众对自然史的兴趣。博物 馆不仅鼓励个人来参观，还鼓励学校组织学生来参观。为此，博物馆为学生提供了放学后参观博物馆和在博物馆学习的机会。

　　What attract people most may be the Travel Program. Each year, the Museum will offer over 40 trips to all 7 continents, including special family programs. Such a program will give people a first-hand experience of the cultures and natural history of the world’s remote and beautiful areas. Such a program is not just for fun. These experiences are valuable to carry out the extensive educational programs mentioned above.

　　最吸引人的项目应该是旅游项目了。每年博物馆都会提供40次到七大洲旅游的 机会，其中包括特别家庭计划。该项目让人们可以直接经历世界上偏远而美丽地区的 文化和自然史。该项目不仅是为了好玩，这些经历对于上述广泛的教育项目的实施是 很有价值的。