The University Museum was established in June, 1871, although it was officially without a home. Artifacts were located in one or two cabinets in the natural science room. These artifacts consisted primarily of invertebrate fossils, a few taxidermied fowl, and some minerals sent from S.J. Nichols of Utah. This collection was not available for the public, and was used primarily as a teaching aid for the professor of natural sciences, Reverend Samuel Aughey. As the professor of natural sciences, he was also appointed director of the "cabinet", the prototype of a Nebraska museum.

Aughey added to the museum collections as much as possible during strained financial years for the university, and often requested small amounts of money for the purchase of specimens. During his time as director, he focused on adding native Nebraskan taxidermied animals, primarily birds, for use in his zoology courses. He was able to secure a large collection of marine shells and invertebrate fossils as well for the cabinet, which he considered a great boon to the collection.

Aughey resigned in 1883, Lewis H. Hicks took his place as professor of natual sciences, as well as his appointment as director of the "cabinet". Hicks' specialty was in geology, and under his direction the University of Nebraska's collection grew; most of the additions were of minerals or invertebrate fossils. At this time, the museum had none of the large vertebrate fossils that it is now famous for, because financing for expeditions was non-existant.

In 1887, a bill was passed to disburse money from the state treasury to the Nebraska Board of Regents, for the construction of a building for the industrial and mechanical arts. In 1888, the cornerstone of Nebraska Hall was laid, with great fanfare and a speech given by Professor Hicks.In 1889, the building was finished, and the small collection was moved and concentrated there on the second and third floors of Nebraska Hall. There they would remain until the arrival of Dr. Barbour and his partnership with John Morrill.