The origin of the Museum of Natural History is located in the broad context of reform measures proposed by Teresa for a general renovation of the University. Composed for educational instigation of Lazzaro Spallanzani, owner of the newly created chair of anthropology, the Museum began in 1771 with a core group of minerals sent as gifts by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. The collections are formed through personal collections, purchases, exchanges and donations in 1775 were exhibited at the prestigious Central University building, where they remained, rising for over a century. In 1778, the existing sections of zoology and mineralogy, was added to comparative anatomy that began with the findings from the Cabinet of the anatomy anatomy based surgeon Antonio Scarpa.
Several employees, appointed for purposes and in moments always very detailed, joined by Spallanzani in the care and into the collections and in the drafting of the catalogs. There were among the first assistants Serafino Volta and Giovanni Antonio Scopoli, who were entrusted with the care of the zoological section, and Father Ermenegildo Pini, devoted to mineralogy. Then the relevant figure was the caretaker and trainer Vincent Rose, author of two important treaties taxidermy ("Method for preparing and conserving birds in the Cabinets of Natural History "of 1789 and" Method for preparing and maintaining the animals for a Cabinet of Natural History "of 1817). The responsibility of the mineralogical section was entrusted in 1790 to John Martinenghi.La reputation of the Museum, already rich in 1780 to more than 24,000 copies, and leading scientific authorities interested and inspired the poet and mathematician Lorenzo Mascheroni some verses of the didactic poem "Invitation to Lesbia Cidone "(1793).
After the death of Spallanzani, which took place in Pavia in 1799, the development of collections and increase del'istituzione continued with the successors Giuseppe Mangili, Gian Maria and Joseph Balsamo Zendrini Crivelli.Con the approval of the Special Regulations of the University, which decreed the inclusion of comparative anatomy in the Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences and Zoology separated from mineralogy, the teachings were Chairs erected first and then to schools. Consequently, since 1875 the Museum of Natural History was divided into two sections, which became autonomous as many museums combined institutions of the same name. Zoology was entrusted to Pietro Pavesi, Leopoldo Maggi in comparative anatomy and mineralogy from 1887 to Torquato Taramelli. Following the transfer of institutions, the Museum of Comparative Anatomy in 1903 and one of Zoology in 1935 found suitable placement at Palazzo Botta, the Museum of Mineralogy, which included fossils, minerals and geological specimens, was placed in other rooms of the Central Building.
the mid-twentieth century, when the interest in natural history museums was overcome by technological advances and the rapid development of innovative industries research, including at the Institutes of Pavia prevailed need to find space to be used in laboratories. By 1960, with the exception of preparations closely linked to university teaching, the zoological, comparative anatomy and paleontology were transferred in the spacious premises of the Visconti Castle in order to set up headquarters in the civic museum open to the public, unfortunately remained unfulfilled. The following years were, for the precious relics, of inexorable decline, until the establishment of the Interdepartmental Center of Services University Museums, which, since 1995, is working to recover all the material through restoration of the finds. In line with the recent general revaluation of the Museum as an irreplaceable teaching tool, the Center enhances the collections in temporary theme exhibitions for students, schoolchildren and the general public [Images of ornithology in Pavia in 800 (April 1996) Fish of yesterday and today (April 1997), claws and fangs: large and small predators (April 1998), from prosimians to man (sett.98), The Museum of Lazzaro Spallanzani (1771-1799) (1999, Whales and dolphins giants mare.In line with the need to preserve the testimonies that tell the local history of natural sciences to disseminate and transmit to future generations, is under design the permanent seat of the Museum of Natural History, part of the park center for science museums in the University. The program structure in a suitable way to combine all the historical collections and to continue the collection and preservation of recent preparations, will be devoted to public use and development the various areas where it can articulate the scientific research of natural interest.
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