Discover bits of history up close and personal at Houston Museum of Natural Science’s exhibit, Cabinet of Curiosities

Inspiring wonder with the world around us is the goal of the new Houston Museum of Natural Science exhibit, Cabinet of Curiosities: A Hands-On History of Wonder. 

Focusing on the innate desire to collect as well as inquisitive natures, collections called cabinets of curiosity first became popular in the Renaissance and reached their pinnacle of popularity in the Victorian Era.

As a homage to this history, HMNS’ Cabinet of Curiosities presents their interpretation with more than 4,000 objects providing the chance to for visitors to peruse various objects up close and personal.

Presented in cabinets and compartments where each “treasure” is easily accessible, it’s an exhibit like no other according to Kathleen Havens, Director of Curriculum and Content at HMNS. 

“Collections were used as a vehicle to showcase the extent of the natural philosopher’s learning and knowledge for others to see and appreciate,” said Havens. “The impulse to share these collected wonders with others gave birth to this movement and ultimately to the museums as we now understand them.”

Highlights of the Cabinet of Curiosities collection includes two drawers of rare Asian pheasant study skins, and the rostra (noses) of sawfish. The pheasants are extremely rare in nature and the young male Edward’s pheasant (smallest of the four) is in all likelihood extinct in nature.

Also included are the sawfish rostra are sad remnants of two generations ago. Sawfish were once abundant along western Atlantic from New York to Brazil and in the Gulf of Mexico, but are now listed as critically endangered due to net trawling and nursery habitat loss.

Get a glimpse of a Cuvier’s beaked whale found in oceans throughout the world. This particular specimen from the Gulf of Mexico was articulated by the museum’s late Director, Dr. Thomas Pulley.

Prepare to be amazed by a sarus crane standing nearly six feet tall, which isn’t only the largest of the 15 species of cranes, but also the tallest flying bird. Marvel at a brow-antlered and fallow deer. Brow-antlered deer are found throughout Southeast Asia and are considered endangered due primarily to habitat destruction and non-sustainable hunting. 

Other treasures on display are a Nile crocodile donated by a local Houstonian; a giant Tridachna clam shell; a leatherback sea turtle; an American Alligator and much more.

Admission to Cabinet of Curiosities is included with entrance to the permanent exhibit halls. For tickets or more information, visit www.hmns.org or call (713) 639-4629.

photo credit: V. Sweeten