Photos Courtesy of Teo Exhibitions
The Museum of Idaho has shown us the future by hosting Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & the Machine. Now the museum will take us a step back–way back–with Mummies of the World: The Exhibition.
Beginning May 31, this nationally touring showcase brings real mummies and artifacts from around the globe up close and personal to museum visitors.
Some mummies occur naturally in nature. Others are the product of intentional preservation. Both human and animal mummies will be displayed, hailing from far-flung regions including South America, Europe and ancient Egypt. Some specimens date back thousands of years, offering a rare glimpse into past civilizations and burial practices.
(Interesting side note: Notable ancient animal mummies include a pair of mammoth calves that were unearthed in Siberia in 2007. Just something to ponder as you marvel at the museum’s permanent replica display of a Colombian mammoth.)
This immersive experience not only displays these carefully preserved remains but also unveils the scientific discoveries behind them. Visitors can learn how mummies were created—sometimes through cultural rituals, sometimes by environmental happenstance—and how modern technology helps researchers uncover their long-lost secrets. Interactive displays and multimedia presentations bring history to life, connecting guests with real individuals from the past in ways never before possible.
Mummies should ring a bell for some longtime MOI patrons. Just 13 years ago, almost to the day, the museum hosted a similar exhibit on ancient relics, although that one was specific to the tomb of the famous boy-king Tutankhamun in Egypt.
If you can’t soak it all in with a single visit, no worries. The exhibition runs through Jan. 4, 2026, so you’ll have plenty of time to give it another look.
Ahead of Mummies of the World, MOI is showcasing Artificial Intelligence, an interactive exploration of AI’s impact on the modern world. That exhibit runs through May 4.
The museum’s permanent Way Out West exhibit also remains a visitor favorite, offering an in-depth journey through 13,000 years of Idaho and Greater Yellowstone history. Guests can step into a recreated Old West town, interact with historical artifacts and even experience the thrill of a mammoth hunt.
In addition to its featured exhibits, MOI hosts a variety of engaging programs for all ages, including hands-on STEM activities for kids, summer camps, and the Museum After Dark series for adults seeking a more immersive, after-hours experience.
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About MOI
The Museum of Idaho is the state’s premier museum for history and science, dedicated to preserving and showcasing Idaho’s rich cultural and ecological heritage. Located in downtown Idaho Falls, MOI features world-class rotating exhibitions, a children’s discovery room, and a full schedule of educational programs.
Hours of Operation:
Admission Prices:
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Adults (18+): $20
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Seniors (65+): $16
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Students (13-17): $16
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Youth (4-12): $14
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Children under 4: Free
Museum members receive free admission, and discounts are available for EBT cardholders and military personnel. For more information, visit the Museum of Idaho’s official website at museumofidaho.org.