Temporary Exhibits
To Dig a Sloth
The exhibit offers a peek at several bones the staff has been cleaning and gluing since September 2003, along with a lesson about the process of excavation and preparation. This exhibit also makes a comparison between the bone structure of a sloth and an adult gorilla. Both walked the same way, putting all of their weight on their back legs and dragging their arms on the ground or using them to pull themselves along. However, as the exhibit points out, sloths and primates are not remotely related, and they have a very different bone structure.
Peter Gill, an intern at the Museum in the summer of 2004, constructed the exhibit. Peter graduated with a B.S. in Geology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2004. He completed his thesis on the evolutionary trends of oceanic protists (planktonic foaminfera) using scanning electron microscopy.
A Sloth Reunion
This exhibit displays comparable bones from both the adult and juvenile specimens discovered at the Tarkio Valley site. The exhibit was designed and constructed by former Museum student-staff members Dana Callahan and Elizabeth Hundelt-Colon, with support from former volunteer Alex Bryk.
Cabinet of Curiosities
The Museum of Natural History was established in 1858 as the “Cabinet of Natural History”. It was originally located in the Old Capitol building and was created so more specimens could be collected to support teaching endeavors in the natural sciences. The “Cabinet of Curiosities” celebrates 150 years of discovery at the Museum of Natural History and to pay tribute to the numerous collectors that have been affiliated with the Museum since its beginning. This exhibit shows a variety of historic specimens from the Museum’s collection, many of which have not been on display for years. 