Behind the scenes of the Harvard Natural History Museum Behind the scenes of the Harvard Natural History Museum~ Harvard Yard ~

I attended a meeting my office held at the Harvard Museum of Natural History in Cambridge, MA. I was really excited about the two original John James Audubon paintings on the wall of the meeting room, and we also got a guided behind the scenes tour. The museum has a wonderful history; its contents are the legacy of early (and current) explorers and adventurers with a curiosity about all earthly things.  I only had time to pop in and out of a few of the permanent exhibits, but was finally able to see the famous glass flowers (not what I was expecting but really incredible.)

Behind the scenes of the Harvard Natural History Museum

Behind the scenes of the Harvard Natural History Museum

Behind the scenes of the Harvard Natural History Museum

Behind the scenes of the Harvard Natural History Museum

Behind the scenes of the Harvard Natural History Museum~ flowers made entirely of glass ~

Behind the scenes of the Harvard Natural History Museum

Here are some snapshots from the private tour. Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of it – but I’d say the highlight was being in the presence of a sand dollar collected by Charles Darwin’s own hands. Apparently the museum didn’t even realize they had it until an intern was updating the cataloging system in the 90s. Our tour guide said it was the first thing she’d grab if there was ever a fire.

Behind the scenes of the Harvard Natural History Museum

Behind the scenes of the Harvard Natural History Museum~ cownose ray ~

Behind the scenes of the Harvard Natural History Museum

Behind the scenes of the Harvard Natural History Museum

Behind the scenes of the Harvard Natural History Museum

~ more fossils – can you see the reptile heads? ~