The museum originates from an original nucleus left by Sigismondo Ala Ponzone (1761-1842), who was a high-level collector himself being a naturalist and preparator. In the following years, other collections donated by local naturalists were added.

The proposed itinerary is divided into sections, starting with the historical section, mainly consisting of the original Ala Ponzone nucleus, continuing with a passage through the individual disciplines: mineralogy, paleontology, and zoology, to reach an understanding of our territory. The natural environment, particularly the urban one, allows for an introduction to a highly topical theme applied to the local situation: a reflection on the conservation of biodiversity. The space dedicated to education, interdisciplinary and available to all sections of the museum system, leads instead to a reflection on how humans use the resources of their territory, connecting to the theme of the river/city relationship that has characterized the history of our community.