One of Animal Crossing's most notable features is the collection and documentation of the surrounding area's fish, bugs, and fossils, and Animal Crossing New Horizons is no different. Players will have the opportunity to collect their island's fauna and relics and display them in a museum. However, players will need to unlock the museum before they can really start displaying their collection.
Every other Animal Crossing game has a pre-built museum ready to take the player's precious donations. In New Horizons players will need to first attract the attention of the museum owner, Blathers, before a museum can be established, and then must perform even more steps for the museum to be built. These steps aren't necessarily difficult, and can easily be completed if a player knows exactly what they need to do.
Make 5 Donations in Animal Crossing New Horizons
To unlock the museum players must first attract the attention of the museum. Since the island you have moved to is uninhabited players will need to attract new businesses to its location. In order for players to attract the museum, they will first need to make 5 donations of bugs or fish to Tom Nook. This can easily be completed after Tom Nook teaches the player how to craft a fishing rod and a bug net.
After a player has donated 5 different types of fauna Tom Nook will tell the player about his friend Blathers who may be interested in establishing a museum on the island. He will then talk to Blathers on the phone and confirm that Blathers in coming to the island, but needs a place to set up camp.
Setting up the Museum in Animal Crossing New Horizons
Next, the player will be given a large camp set up similar but bigger than the player's own tent at the beginning of the game. And just like when players set up their own tent, the player is now tasked with picking a location for the museum to be built. Players will need to choose wisely as this cannot be changed later.
After finding a suitable place for the museum return to Tom Nook and he will inform you that preparations for the museum are underway. Once this step has been completed players will no longer be able to make donations until the museum tent has been completed.
Completing the Museum in Animal Crossing New Horizons
The next morning during Nook's Island Announcements, Tom Nook will inform the island that Blathers has set up camp and is now taking more donations. Upon visiting Blathers at the location that the player chose they will see that the "museum" is actually just a small campsite with a small tent. This is because players will need to donate more specimen to the museum in order for the museum to be built.
Upon talking to Blathers he will tell you that in order for the museum to be built players will need to donate 15 more species. This will prove that the island is suitable for the museum to officially set up shop. After this conversation, players will also be gifted crafting recipes for both the Vault Pole and the Shovel. The pole will allow the player to hop across rivers and the shovel allows players to dig up fossils.
Blathers will also tell payers that he suspects the Island is rich in fossils and that if they find any he will assist in identifying them. They can also be donated to the museum and will count towards the 15 donations needed to open the museum.
After 15 items are donated the museum will close for renovations the following day. The day after renovations begin, the museum will be finished and opened to the public. Then players will be able to donate items till their heart's content.
Animal Crossing New Horizons is available on Nintendo Switch.
