Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum
About the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum
The Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum is a natural history museum that strives to preserve and uphold the strong heritage of life science education and legacy of science excellence that has spanned more than a century of programming and instruction at Benedictine University.
With the rich repository of high-quality zoological, geological and botanical specimens, the museum assists a wide range of academic departments in delivering exceptional classroom experiences through unique hands-on learning opportunities.
The museum provides a unique and fulfilling work environment for Benedictine University students. The museum hires students from any major, and no prior museum experience is necessary. It also provides graduate and undergraduate internships, tailored to coursework requirements and focused on skill building.
Come Visit the Museum!
Open to the public, the museum creates an educational environment that inspires people of all ages to seek a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world’s natural and cultural diversity.
The reservations system is open to schedule appointments for the semester.
Admission is free. Donations are kindly accepted.
Directions to Benedictine University
Please follow this link for a campus map. The museum is located on the 2nd floor of the Michael and Kay Birck Hall of Science.
Parking
Free visitor parking is available in the parking garage, in the Krasa parking lot, and in the visitor parking spaces near the Neff Center. Parking for buses and vans is available in the Krasa parking lot and in the Neuzil parking lot.
Handicap parking is available in the student parking lot located to the south of Birck Hall. A handicap accessible entrance to Birck Hall is located at the north end of the sidewalk between Birck Hall and Kindlon Hall. Elevators are located at the north end of Birck Hall.
The Museum and the Birck Hall of Science are fully accessible to people of all abilities. Accessible parking is located to the south of the building. For directions and ease of use recommendations, please contact a museum staff member prior to your visit by calling 630-829-6546.
Discovery Box Loan Program
These free educational kits include a select of specimens, educational materials, videos, and activities. We have a variety of life science topics to select from. We are also a repository for IDNR Resource Trunks.
Our Collections & Resources
Oology Collection
Paleontology Collection
Herbarium Collection
Resources for Educators and the Community
History of the Museum
The museum represents the efforts of the late Fr. Hilary Juirca, O.S.B., and his late brother, Fr. Edmund Jurica, O.S.B, who collected specimens for their students to study during their combined century of teaching, and the direction and dedication of Fr. Theodore Suchy, O.S.B., museum curator for more than 30 years.
Support the Museum
Every gift, no matter the size, greatly impacts the museum and its ability to provide life science education opportunities, create unique learning experiences, and further the care of our collections. Your donation makes an impact! Help preserve our collections and introduce new programs.