The Museum of Natural History is one of the largest scientific museums in Saxony. Its activities include the collection and conservation of natural objects, research in the natural sciences and the presentation of its collections (Paleontology, Geology and Mineralogy, Zoology, Botany). The international reputation of the museum comes mainly from its unique collection of silicate wood from volcanic sediments in Chemnitz, which came into existence during the Permian. The Petrified Wood as an international natural monument and the library of paleobotany also contribute to the museum’s reputation. The history of the Museum for Natural History started in the middle of the 19th century with a circle of citizens being interested in natural science. In 1859 they founded the Naturwissenschaftlicher Leseverein (renamed into Naturwissenschaftliche Gesellschaft in 1861). The primary objectives were to create natural-historic collections and to build up a scientific library. In 1868 the collections of the Naturwissenschaftliche Gesellschaft were given to the City of Chemnitz. The Freundeskreis des Museums für Naturkunde Chemnitz e.V. established in 1996, sees itself in tradition of the Naturwissenschaftliche Gesellschaft zu Chemnitz. Furthermore the website gives information about topics of research (palaeontology, ecology, entomology), publications and the work of Freundeskreis des Museums für Naturkunde Chemnitz e.V. ... [Information of the supplier, modified]
