The Center for PostNatural History was founded by artist Richard Pell, who deemed it necessary for a museum to concentrate on the complex relations between culture, nature and biotechnology. It has an internationally renowned collection of organisms of postnatural origin, which it continues to pursue to interpret and provide access to.

The Center for PostNatural History that is situated in Pittsburgh was set up to explore what is described as ‘PostNatural History’, which is currently neglected in existing museums dedicated to natural sciences. The center defines its subject ‘PostNatural History’ as first, the study of the origins, habitats, and evolution of organisms that have been intentionally and heritably altered by humans, and secondarily as the record of the influence of human culture on evolution. While this includes species which have been genetically modified, it also includes things such as pets, or crops, which have been selectively bred for particular desired characteristics.