Specimen History Presentation & Operating Reserve Announcement

Date: September 30th 

Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Location: Montana Natural History Center

Cost: Free 

Join us to celebrate MNHC's history while also looking to our future! MNHC Collections Registrar Alyssa Cornell will host a special presentation highlighting some interesting stories behind our specimen collection. We're also excited to share fantastic news about MNHC’s future by publicly announcing MNHC’s Operating Reserve Campaign and thanking all of the donors who have helped us get so far towards our goal.

Have you ever wondered where a museum gets its specimens and collections? There are so many different stories behind our exhibit hall specimens that led them to MNHC. These mysteries and stories in museums help connect us to each other and the world around us. 

We’ll travel back in time to uncover the story of two larger-than-life zoological specimens and the people who helped them along the way!

A few highlights Alyssa will cover: 

Grizzly Bear Group (one sow and two year-old cubs)

• Collected in 1930 in Alaska.
• Displayed at the Ohio Historical Society and later the Ohio State University until it was transferred to the University of Montana Biological Sciences Division in 1999. 
• On loan to MNHC shortly after arriving at UMZM from Ohio. 

Rost Collection

• Donated to MNHC by Robert L. Rost in 2004.
• Over 100 zoological specimens were donated—an array of skulls, pelts, horns, antlers, teeth, etc., from animals including rodents, ungulates, bears, and more. The collection seems to span from 1960 to the late 1990s.

Beverages and appetizers will be available.