STUFFED AND STORED: TAXIDERMY DONATIONS TO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS
STUFFED AND STORED: TAXIDERMY DONATIONS TO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS
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Issue Date
2009
Authors
Louie, Emilie Rae
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Abstract
For my masters project I researched how and under what circumstances natural history museums in the United States accept or decline taxidermy animal specimens so that in the future, museums and taxidermy donors will have a better understanding of each other's needs.
I have chosen to focus on taxidermy because I am fascinated and inspired by the vast collections individuals hold and the traditional displays associated with hunters, taxidermy collectors and museums. Taxidermy is the preservation of an animal's likeness by forming the skin only over an anatomical model. Taxidermy made specifically for a museum collection is often completed by a museum staff member, volunteer or scientist. Mounted specimens are produced for specific displays, tailored made for the scene or diorama they will be used in. In recent times, scientific data such as location and date of capture are also recorded and kept with the object's record in the collection's database. By comparison research institutions, such as the California Academy of Sciences, require more detailed information than educational institutions, such as the Lindsay Wildlife Museum. Taxidermy made for a personal collection usually commemorates a hunt or decorates a house or business. These animals are often displayed individually or with other animals, but the context is entirely up to the owner as is the information kept with the specimen. Despite these differing uses, discrepancies between personal and museum uses for taxidermy animals turn out to be minor and I think with the right communication between personal collectors Taxidermy Donations and museums, taxidermy animal specimens can be preserved by museums for future nature enthusiasts and researchers.