Behind the Scenes at Museum of Science & History(MOSH)
With over 25,000 objects and specimens in their collection MOSH simply does not have the space to present their entire collection to the public. Yet, they expertly manage and administer their incredible -mostly hidden -catalogue with the full intent of presenting most items to the public to appreciate.
Everyday, curatorial staff, interns and volunteers work behind the scenes to care for and maintain the Museum of Science & History’s permanent collection of more than 25,000 objects and specimens. From photographs to tools and fossils to opossums, MOSH has many treasures waiting to be unveiled.
MOSH's mission of inspiring the joy of lifelong learning by bringing to life the sciences and regional history is carried out mainly through the use of its permanent collection. Collections objects and specimens are used for exhibitions, education, outreach and research and are broken down into three sub-collections: History, Natural Science and Living.
History Collection
The History Collection is the largest among MOSH’s permanent collections and contains approximately 22,000 objects. Unfortunately, the museum is not quite large enough to exhibit all these objects at once. For this reason, the majority of objects remain safely stored in a temperature, humidity and light-controlled room until it is their turn to be displayed.
A glimpse into the History Collection storage room reveals shelving units stacked from floor to ceiling holding several dozen acid-free storage boxes. These boxes are full of treasures, each unique and different. Some boxes contain newspapers, photographs or letters from Jacksonville's past. Others contain porcelain dolls, Timucuan pottery or farm tools. Framed paintings, drawings and folk art hang on the walls, covered carefully in linens. Beaded dresses from the 1920s hang from clothing racks while more delicate lace gowns from the late 1800s are carefully wrapped and tucked away in sturdy containers. Curatorial staff, volunteers and interns work diligently in the History Collection storage room on cataloging, inventorying and researching all the while wearing special gloves to protect the objects.
Natural Science Collection
MOSH’s Natural Science Collection contains approximately 2,900 specimens including everything from shells to minerals and preserved fish to taxidermied birds. Some of the specimens are on display in the museum’s Florida Naturalist’s Center and many others are used during hands-on educational programs. The remaining specimens are safely stored in Natural Science Collection storage room. Curatorial staff, interns and volunteers jokingly refer to this area as the “dead room.”
Living Collection
If you have visited the museum, you probably had the pleasure of meeting Daisy Mae the opossum or Tonca the alligator snapping turtle. They are the most popular members of MOSH’s Living Collection, which contain approximately 100 animals representing 60 different species native to northeast Florida. The animals live in the museum’s Florida Naturalist’s Center and Hixon Native Plant Courtyard and are used for hands-on learning experiences and encounters to inspire appreciation and respect for northeast Florida’s wildlife. Other visitor favorites include Carlisle the indigo snake and Grady the barred owl.
Behind the scenes of the Living Collection, Naturalists and volunteers work hard to ensure the animals remain healthy and happy. A peek into the prep area of the Living Collection around breakfast time may be a little unsettling to some people, though. The Naturalists prepare food for the animals, which oftentimes include dead mice, live fish, mealworms and fresh fruits and veggies. The opossums eat a smelly “slop” containing chicken livers, hard-boiled egg, yogurt, fruits and veggies. As a special snack, they are given live crickets.
Article by Christy "Lenny" Leonard
Director of Operations & Curator at MOSH
Like MOSH on Facebook
Follow MOSH on Twitter
MOSH's mission of inspiring the joy of lifelong learning by bringing to life the sciences and regional history is carried out mainly through the use of its permanent collection. Collections objects and specimens are used for exhibitions, education, outreach and research and are broken down into three sub-collections: History, Natural Science and Living.
History Collection
The History Collection is the largest among MOSH’s permanent collections and contains approximately 22,000 objects. Unfortunately, the museum is not quite large enough to exhibit all these objects at once. For this reason, the majority of objects remain safely stored in a temperature, humidity and light-controlled room until it is their turn to be displayed.
A glimpse into the History Collection storage room reveals shelving units stacked from floor to ceiling holding several dozen acid-free storage boxes. These boxes are full of treasures, each unique and different. Some boxes contain newspapers, photographs or letters from Jacksonville's past. Others contain porcelain dolls, Timucuan pottery or farm tools. Framed paintings, drawings and folk art hang on the walls, covered carefully in linens. Beaded dresses from the 1920s hang from clothing racks while more delicate lace gowns from the late 1800s are carefully wrapped and tucked away in sturdy containers. Curatorial staff, volunteers and interns work diligently in the History Collection storage room on cataloging, inventorying and researching all the while wearing special gloves to protect the objects.
Natural Science Collection
MOSH’s Natural Science Collection contains approximately 2,900 specimens including everything from shells to minerals and preserved fish to taxidermied birds. Some of the specimens are on display in the museum’s Florida Naturalist’s Center and many others are used during hands-on educational programs. The remaining specimens are safely stored in Natural Science Collection storage room. Curatorial staff, interns and volunteers jokingly refer to this area as the “dead room.”
Living Collection
If you have visited the museum, you probably had the pleasure of meeting Daisy Mae the opossum or Tonca the alligator snapping turtle. They are the most popular members of MOSH’s Living Collection, which contain approximately 100 animals representing 60 different species native to northeast Florida. The animals live in the museum’s Florida Naturalist’s Center and Hixon Native Plant Courtyard and are used for hands-on learning experiences and encounters to inspire appreciation and respect for northeast Florida’s wildlife. Other visitor favorites include Carlisle the indigo snake and Grady the barred owl.
Behind the scenes of the Living Collection, Naturalists and volunteers work hard to ensure the animals remain healthy and happy. A peek into the prep area of the Living Collection around breakfast time may be a little unsettling to some people, though. The Naturalists prepare food for the animals, which oftentimes include dead mice, live fish, mealworms and fresh fruits and veggies. The opossums eat a smelly “slop” containing chicken livers, hard-boiled egg, yogurt, fruits and veggies. As a special snack, they are given live crickets.
Article by Christy "Lenny" Leonard
Director of Operations & Curator at MOSH
Like MOSH on Facebook Follow MOSH on Twitter