The Museum preserves natural history and archeological findings from the Agno and Chiampo valleys (in the western part of the Vicenza province). In this area it also acts as a centre of scientific research, educational activities and popular promotion of scientific culture.

The museum is the main cultural centre for citizens of Vicenza Ovest area about archeological and natural science issues. Its collection of fossil crabs is internationally renowned; other natural history collections include various paleontological items, minerals, and gems of the Vicenza area. The archeological evidences cover a period from Prehistory to Lombards.

The Museum is founded in 1922 as private museum by Cav. Giuseppe Zannato, it becomes municipal in 1983.
In 1983 starts with three rooms, which become seven in 1998. Nowadays, the site is placed in the basement of the Civic Library (Villa Lorenzoni). From 2007 it occupies the entire palace of Villa Lorenzoni and it is composed by twelve rooms, one big aula didactic room, officies.

In the fisrt years, the Museum was supported by various collaborations with differents roles. Foundamental was the qualified and constant support of a very important “friends of the Museum” club (Associazione Amici del Museo). An active role is also played by the Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici del Veneto e dell’Università di Padova. Still, these collaborations continues, however direct municipal managment is enshured thanks to the role of two curators (archeology and naturalist), a Director and guardians.