Reference Request
Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives
Accession 00-082
National Museum of Natural History. Office of Exhibits
Chief Taxidermist Records, circa 1970-1999
Descriptive Entry
These records primarily document the work of Frank M. Greenwell, Smithsonian Taxidermist 1957-1999. Greenwell retired in 1999 and had achieved the title of Chief, Taxidermy/Conservation, National Museum of Natural History, Office of Exhibits. Greenwell was also a member of the National Taxidermists Association. Materials include information on the mounting of the "Fenykovi" Elephant (displayed in the rotunda of the National Museum of Natural History); the "Hasinger" Bengal Tiger (displayed in the National Museum of Natural History); and the mounting of "Mungo" a baby elephant, by William Temple Hornaday, nineteenth century Smithsonian Taxidermist. There are additional information files regarding Smithsonian Taxidermists William Temple Hornaday and Carl Ethan Akeley. Other featured collectors and collections include Smithsonian's joint African safari with Theodore Roosevelt (1909-1910). This safari substantially increased Smithsonian's African collections. There is one box of reference photographs that mostly depict live animals in various attitudes, and natural habitats. These were used as models for the Taxidermists in creating life-like mounts and dioramas of natural scenes. In addition to the animal and landscape photos, there are also photos of people, including two of Osa and Martin Johnson. Materials include articles, brochures, correspondence, drawings, formulas, informational files, memoranda, newsletters, newspaper clippings, notes, photographs, and sketches.
Index Terms
This collection is indexed under the following access terms. These are links to collections with related topics, persons or places.
Name
- Hornaday, William Temple, 1854-1937
- Akeley, Carl Ethan, 1864-1926
- Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
- Johnson, Osa
- Johnson, Martin
- Greenwell, Frank M.
- National Taxidermists Association
- Smithsonian African Expedition (1909-1910)
Subject
Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 00-082, National Museum of Natural History. Office of Exhibits, Chief Taxidermist Records