Where can I see taxidermy or animal models in MD or DC?

March 21, 2018 9:29 AM

This is for an art project. I need to look at taxidermy specimens or life-like models of animals. A museum is fine -- I don't need to touch them or be super up close. In NYC, the Natural History Museum would be perfect, but I am in the Maryland/DC area. I know about the Smithsonian Natural History museum. Where else should I go?
posted by OrangeDisk to Media & Arts (10 answers total)

The Smithsonian is probably your best bet. There are a ton of taxidermied animals there, much like the one in NYC.
posted by jenny76 at 9:57 AM on March 21, 2018

If Baltimore is convenient, Bazaar in the Hampden neighborhood is a weird little gift shop with taxidermied animals for sale ( and out to look at). They also do taxidermy workshops.
posted by the primroses were over at 9:58 AM on March 21, 2018

usually the building that house the biology department at almost any university will have specimens out in the lobbies and halls.
posted by Dr. Twist at 10:03 AM on March 21, 2018

I can't really think of another museum in the DC area besides the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. Museum dioramas are kind of an endangered species. It would be a looong day, but you could do a day trip to NYC and go to the Natural History Museum via something like Megabus. You also might talk to a taxidermist in the area.
posted by gudrun at 10:09 AM on March 21, 2018

In addition to the Natural History Museum's huge collection, the Rock Creek Park Nature Center also has a taxidermy collection.
posted by capricorn at 11:24 AM on March 21, 2018

The Walters Art museum has a library-esque room that has a range of taxidermied animals that have been great entertainment for the kids, some play I spy. There are state parks and county nature centers in MD that have taxidermied animals (typically native species) on display. Deep Creek Lake, Oregon Ridge, Marshy Point are some recent places we’ve been, there are plenty of others, just call. All are free.

Regarding theSmithsonian, they have a junior scientist area that has a huge range of species, if your taxidermy interest is beyond MD/DC fauna.
posted by childofTethys at 11:35 AM on March 21, 2018

Cabela's stores usually have a fairly large taxidermy display area. I'm not sure what the closest store would be to you, but they might be a decent option. The individual store pages note whether they have such a display ("Conservation Mountain").
posted by asperity at 11:37 AM on March 21, 2018 [1 favorite]

There are lots of good answers in this thread, but I can't think of a better one-stop destination for what you want than the Smithsonian.
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:59 AM on March 21, 2018 [1 favorite]

Can you get to Philadelphia? The Wagner Free Institute of Science houses a stunning collection of taxidermied animals. Their website does not do their collection justice, so have a look at the descriptions on Atlas Obscura and Shing Yin Khor's blog.
posted by apparently at 12:35 PM on March 22, 2018

I grew up outside of D.C. and the name I coined for the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History as a child was "the dead zoo." I think it'll fulfill your requirements.
posted by jocelmeow at 4:14 PM on March 22, 2018 [1 favorite]