Taxidermy has certainly provided some good times on Extreme Craft. From the albino squirrel heaven in Madison Wisconsin to Jeanettee's taxidermy, who will make a tasteful pillow from your departed pet, taxidermy still has the power to shock, awe, delight and amuse.
When I visited Philadelphia back in February, the kind students at the Tyler School of Art realized that my trip wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Wagner Free Institute Museum in North Philly, a stone's throw away from the Temple campus.
A trip to the Free Museum (which was originally a part of Philadelphia's library system) is a step back in time. The museum opened in 1855 as a service to the city of Philadelphia, and was upgraded and reshaped in 1891. Amazingly, the museum is little-changed since then. The museum if full of gorgeous display cases chock full of specimens, ranging from a draft horse skeleton to a taxidermy bird called "The Cock of the Rock". Even the museum's auditorium is unchanged. You can attend lectures on scientific topics while sitting on beautiful, squeaky, uncomfortable seats.
Even though I live on the other side of the country, I signed up for their email list. I was delighted when I got an email today advertising their upcoming lecture about the History of Taxidermy by Dr. Pat Morris of London University:
"What makes taxidermy so interesting? Whether encountering thousands of specimens at a museum like the Wagner Institute or just a few in a hunter's trophy collection, viewing taxidermy can be captivating.
Taxidermy historian, Dr. Pat Morris, will explain why people find the display of mounted animals to be so fascinating. Dr. Morris is a leading British mammal ecologist who has been researching the history of taxidermy as a lifelong hobby. He has traveled through most of Europe and the USA, seeking out interesting taxidermy specimens and stories.His presentation will consider taxidermy from its roots as a business in the 19th century, reviewing the history of preserved animals, and attempts to find the oldest surviving specimens. Dr. Morris will also explore the diverse and amusing uses of taxidermy - including major museum exhibits, stuffed pets, hunting trophies, animal furniture, and squirrels playing cards. "
The lecture will be on Wednesday, April 7th at 5:30 PM. What could be better than learning about taxidermy in a place that's only slightly less glorious than the Bass Pro shop? You should also check out the Institute's Flickr page.
