Santa Fe Reptile and Bug Museum Inc

The Santa Fe Reptile and Bug Museum strives to foster a connection between people and the natural world by crafting exhibits and hands-on experiences using our collection of unusual creatures, artifacts, fossils and more. We use the natural fear and fascination people have for these misunderstood animals to help visitors have a better understanding of the environment we all share, and the importance of protecting it. Our goal is to create a family-friendly community resource for Santa Fe residents, tourists, educators, and scientists. A destination attraction where visitors can gain an appreciation for reptiles and invertebrates and their importance to the ecosystem through a comprehensive and immersive museum experience.

The Santa Fe Reptile and Bug Museum is an educational organization first founded in 2013 as the Harrell House and we changed our name in 2022 when we became a nonprofit corporation. Since its start it has attracted approximately 70,000 visitors. The interactive Museum features more than a hundred live bug exhibits as well as reptiles, amphibians, and fish. It also boasts the Crawlywood Collection, a stunning collection of 3,000+ preserved insects. Visitors are able to touch and interact with a selection of gentle live creatures as part of their experience. The Museum hosts field trips from schools, day camps, scout groups, and private birthday parties. Owner and founder Wade Harrell visits many schools, museums, and homes with a mobile version of the Museum. The Museum is a vital and popular fixture in the community, especially for families with kids.

During the first nine years of its existence the Museum collected rave reviews on Tripadvisor, Google, Facebook, and Yelp. It was featured in newspapers including The Santa Fe New Mexican, The Albuquerque Journal, The Santa Fe Reporter and more. It has also appeared in numerous websites including the popular travel site Atlas Obscura. In 2017, Guy Fieri and his family visited the Museum for an episode of his Food Network TV show, Guy’s Family Road Trip. Most of all, we have built up a legion of fans and members!

The outpouring of support from the community when the Museum left its former space at the end of 2021 inspired us to become a nonprofit organization under a new name, The Santa Fe Reptile and Bug Museum! Our goal is to continue the mission of educating the residents and visitors of Santa Fe about the world’s most amazing and misunderstood creatures, and the environments in which they live. The Santa Fe Reptile and Bug Museum is  a great resource for the community.

We are seeking funding to allow us to secure a permanent location for the Museum. Our initial fundraising goal is $70,000 to allow to open a physical location as soon as possible, with a subsequent goal of $240,000 to cover operating costs for at least six months.