Carnegie Museum of Natural History: Part 1

In March, we ventured out to visit the Carnegie Museum of Natural History for our first time.  Fellow Ceramics Grads Sarah and John joined us.  Pittsburgh-based industrialist Andrew Carnegie founded the institution in 1896. It maintains an international reputation for research and is ranked among the top five natural history museums in the United States.

We both love a good natural history museum.  The Carnegie MNH's not only displays an enormous array of curated objects, but the long reputation of the collection itself represents a history of evolving western curatorial attitudes.  Here are some pictures from the minerals, gems, and taxidermy on display!

Amy is super impressed by the glittering hall of rocks!

David admires the variety of the collection.

This early taxidermy piece is an unusual inclusion in the taxidermy displays.  This composition is not displayed in a semblance of a natural habitat.  Rather, it has been arranged with a narrative for western exoticism and high-drama!