Center for PostNatural History — Attraction in Pittsburgh

A really excellent little 30-minute museum to feed your inner biology nerd or just make you wonder at how we have worked to re-shape nature through breeding and biology to fit our needs. There's a rush of exploration as you examine how selective breeding has completely altered dog skeletons over the centuries, a chill as you read about a ferret flu strain that could have killed millions if it had escapes. A laugh as you read about people trying to make spider silk from goats... And silk worms... And dozen other critters... What I'm saying is I really needed out hardcore here. Make sure to ask the owner any questions you have--it was well worth it when I did. Also, this place is free. You can make it all the way through in 30 - 60 minutes, so a good idea is to stop here while doing the Unblurred monthly...

This is a very small but super-informative museum chock-full of extremely interesting exhibits. A self-guided experience, it addresses, without judgement, how humans have changed the natural order and development other living things throughout (mostly modern) history. You can enjoy this place whether you spend a little or a lot of time here. About 1/4 of the exhibits are best viewed with (provided) 3D glasses. Entry is free but donations are welcome. It is only open on Sunday afternoons and the first Friday of each month, but one of the curators is usually at the entrance to greet you and answer...

The idea behind this museum is an interesting one. Instead of flora and fauna that occur naturally, this museum focuses on those things that have been altered by humans (think wolf to dog). However, the exhibits are not well labeled and they could have used some of the natural versions as a basis of comparison. So you're just left to wonder around and look at lots of specimens without context (was the modification a good thing or a bad thing ). Since we live in the neighborhood and it was free of day it was worth a visit for 20 minutes. Would I...