Visual display of natural science has been a cornerstone of the mission of the American Museum of Natural History since its inception. Albert Bickmore, acknowledged as the founder of the Museum, became the superintendent of public education and gave lectures to New York City schoolteachers. He illustrated them with hand colored lantern slides reproduced from the growing collection of photographs created and collected by the Museum staff. Bickmore’s lectures were so successful that a new and larger theater was constructed to hold the crowds.
Dioramas are illusionistic reproductions of natural environments usually incorporating a curved painted backdrop behind three-dimensional figures.
Natural science education, using the collections and exhibits as a resource, has been part of the mission of the Museum since it began.
Exhibitions in the Museum grew from simple rows of specimen cabinets to more sophisticated representations of the natural world.
Based on scientific field work and research, Museum artists, preparators and taxidermists have worked to create permanent halls and special exhibits.
