The founding of the IMNH can be traced back to 1934 when a group of dedicated professors and researchers decided to collect, preserve, and display the region's natural and cultural heritage.

In the beginning, the Museum's collection consisted of 5,000 objects that were primarily anthropological, archaeological, and historical artifacts that were donated by the Pocatello Chamber of Commerce, faculty, and supporters of the university's Southern Branch.

A majority of the collections were transferred from the Idaho State University Department of Biological Sciences to the museum.

A majority of the artifacts found at IMNH have been recovered and analyzed by staff and students of Idaho State University.

The collection represents a number of human artifacts which range from the Late Ice Age in Idaho to modern bead working traditions.

Specimens within the earth science collection focus on a number of different studies including paleontology, geology, paleobotany, and comparative osteology.

IMNH exhibits come directly from the museum's collections and help describe the natural and cultural history of the surrounding area.

These exhibits allow individuals to discover the skeletons of large prehistoric creatures such as saber tooth cats, giant bison, and the Hagerman horse.

The Life Science exhibits also display a diverse collection of native reptiles, amphibians, and fish of Southern Idaho.

Lastly, the Ray J. Davis Herbarium allows IMNH to display a wide arrangement of native plants, some of which are extinct.