Amherst College
Beneski Earth Sciences Building and Beneski Museum of Natural History

Amherst College’s Freshman Quad Master Plan prompted the relocation of the Beneski Earth Sciences Building and the Museum of Natural History to the north end of the east side of campus. The new site, a prominent spot overlooking a valley, offered the opportunity to put science on display for those traversing the main walkways in this part of the campus.

This simple, brick gabled box fits into the Amherst campus context, emulating the spirit of the college’s historic structures. On the building’s street side is a small showcase pavilion with large glass openings, which features the museum’s display of mammoth, mastodon, Irish elk, and other skeletons.