The museum stewards and preserves a large scope of natural history and archaeological collections from Connecticut and beyond.

[6] In August 2016, the University of Connecticut closed the museum's physical spaces on Hillside Road.

The editors of The Daily Campus, UConn's student newspaper, criticized the decision, commenting in an editorial that "the concept of a 'museum' without a physical space is stretching what we can define as a museum.

"[7] While lacking a centralized exhibit space since 2016, the museum continues to maintain its collections, engage in community outreach and education, and host programs and events.

[6][8] As of 2023, the University of Connecticut’s Institute of the Environment, which has administrative oversight over the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History as well as other university offices, is pursuing a Living Building initiative, with the CSMNH planned as the centerpiece of the new environmental commons.