What came first, the chicken or the egg? Eggs were around long before there were chickens. In addition to birds, mollusks, fish, insects, frogs, reptiles, and even some mammals lay eggs. These mammals are known as monotremes. The closest living relatives of birds include crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and turtles, all of which lay [...]
Fall Scavenger Hunt While the Museum has been closed for renovations and our exciting metamorphosis to the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, our local partner organizations have welcomed our members as if they were their own. We hope you have been able to take advantage of this unique opportunity to visit these [...]
Among the dramatic taxidermy appearing in the new Museum galleries is a Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus). The bear will stand on a model iceberg in the Arctic tundra exhibit as part of the Global Journey Gallery. Currently in storage in the Collections & Research Division, the specimen needed to be removed from its stand and [...]
Dinosaurs are among all the things that spark a child's imagination and curiosity the most. For decades, the Delaware Museum of Natural History's dinosaurs have fascinated thousands of children (and adults too). This year, we're closed for major renovations to our galleries. When the Museum reopens in 2022, the Delaware Museum of [...]
Museum Metamorphosis: Exhibit Deinstallation and Demolition After the taxidermy was removed, demolition started. In January, Museum staff along with additional conservators removed taxidermy from exhibits to temporary storage. These photos were taken during the process. The lion sleeps tonight [...]
Shell shock: Collectors help the Museum crack the case of a missing specimen Forty-seven years ago, celebrated shell collector Jack Lightbourn hauled a new species up with his large catch of mollusks off the coast of Bermuda. The prime sample of the species, later named C. lightbourni, was sent to [...]
Matt reads today's Wonders of Winter story, Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. Behind Matt is our Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), one of the most distinctive birds in the Delaware forest. Owls are excellent night hunters. Their large eyes, flexible necks, and excellent hearing make them especially good at locating prey, usually mice, shrews, [...]
Wine & Dinosaurs has been our major fundraising event for more than a decade. Unfortunately, the coronavirus forced us to cancel this year's event. Instead, this year we're turning the spotlight back on some of the many supporters that have made Wine and Dinosaurs a great event, with Distance & Dinosaurs, presented by M&T Bank. This [...]
Spreading Our Wings for Nature and Science Education at the Museum, in our community, and online In 2019, DMNH delivered education programs to 19,319 individuals, including 9,341 underserved students who received programming free or at a discount. When the pandemic hit, we reorganized PreK-16 activities. Story times, live animal presentations, nature crafts, [...]
School Enrichment Program launches September 8 To help support families embarking on virtual learning this school year, DMNH has launched a School Enrichment Program to provide a safe place for students to complete their remote learning requirements while also providing space for learners to socialize safely and foster the spirit [...]
