Stories from the Smithsonian

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Image Gallery: William Temple Hornaday

William Temple Hornaday's varied career can be seen in these images, from his early work as a taxidermist for the US National Museum, to his interest in the American bison after his 1886 field trip, and his role as the founding director of the National Zoological Park. 

Image Not FoundWilliam Temple Hornaday (center) and Andrew Forney, with an unidentified man, working in the Taxidermy Studio in the South Yard preparing specimens for exhibit, by Unknown, c. 1880
William Temple Hornaday (center), Taxidermist and Zoo Keeper, Andrew Forney, and another unidentified man, working in the taxidermists' laboratory located in a shed in the South Yard behind the Smithsonian Institution Building. A bird hangs from the ceiling, and mounted animals line the shelves. Skulls and animal skins are scattered throughout the room. By Unknown, c. 1880, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 28, Folder: 31A,  6071 and NHB-6071, siris_sic_9561.
Image Not FoundWilliam Temple Hornaday and bison calf “Sandy,” by Unknown, 1886
William Temple Hornaday, Chief Taxidermist of the United States National Museum from 1882, Curator of the Department of Living Animals, and the first Superintendent of the National Zoological Park, with a baby bison known as Sandy, probably on the grounds adjoining the Smithsonian Castle. This is probably the bison calf that Hornaday brought back from his 1886 summer field trip to Montana. The calf lived only a short time.  By Unknown, 1886, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 13, Folder: 39,  74-12338 or 79-13252 or SA-815 siris_sic_9151.
Image Not FoundWilliam Temple Hornaday, Chief Taxidermist and Curator, Department of Living Animals, US National Museum, and first director of the National Zoological Park, by Unknown, c. 1890
William Temple Hornaday, Chief Taxidermist of the United States National Museum from 1882, Curator of the Department of Living Animals, and the first Superintendent of the National Zoological Park, is seated in a chair and faces left. By Unknown, c. 1890, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 13, Folder: 39, MAH-19661, siris_sic_7983.
Image Not FoundWilliam Temple Hornaday in Taxidermy Studio in the South Yard preparing a specimen of a tiger for exhibit, by Unknown, 1902
William Temple Hornaday, taxidermist, working on a tiger model in the Taxidermy Shop located in the South Yard, by Unknown, 1902, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 13, Folder: 39, 3687 or NHB-3687, siris_sic_9666.
Image Not FoundBison exhibit, South Hall of the US National Museum, by Unknown, c. 1887
Life group of American Buffaloes in the Mammals Exhibit in the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building, c. 1887. The buffaloes were collected and mounted by William T. Hornaday. By Unknown, c. 1887, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 43, Folder: 1, 4323 or MNH-4323, siris_sic_7837.
Image Not FoundSouth Hall of the US National Museum with bison exhibit, by Unknown, 1902
Bison mounted by William Temple Hornaday in 1887 in the South Hall of the Arts and Industries Building. Photo shows the galleries (balconies) constructed by Hornblower and Marshall between 1897 and 1903. Adolph Cluss' stencil in the rotunda has been painted out, presumably in preparation for Grace Lincoln Temple's design which was completed in 1902. Other animals are visible in the surrounding cases. By Unknown, 1902, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 43, Folder: 1, MNH-16062, siris_sic_9298.
Image Not FoundSouth Hall of the US National Museum with bison exhibit, by Unknown, 1902
Mammal Hall with bison mounted by William Temple Hornaday in 1887 in the foreground of the South Hall of the United States National Museum (now the Arts and Industries Building). Signs label mammals as "Old World Mammals" and "American Mammals." Photograph shows the galleries constructed by Hornblower and Marshall between 1897 and 1903. Adolph Cluss' stencil in the rotunda has been painted out, presumably in preparation for Grace Lincoln Temple's design, which was completed in 1902.  By Unknown, 1902, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 43, Folder: 1, 2004-10370, siris_sic_5992.
Image Not FoundTwo bison in paddock in the South Yard behind the Smithsonian Castle, by Unknown, c. 1886-1889
Two buffalo are in a paddock in the South Yard behind the Smithsonian Institution Building. They were acquired in 1886 by the United States National Museum's Department of Living Animals, which eventually became the National Zoological Park. This photograph, taken sometime between 1886 and 1889, predates the founding of the NZP which was established by Act of Congress in 1889. By Unknown, c. 1886-1889, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 30A, Folder: 19, MAH8008A, siris_sic_9175.
Image Not FoundBison standing in front of the Buffalo Barn at the National Zoological Park, by Unknown, c. 1895
Profile of a bison at the National Zoological Park, in front of the Buffalo Barn. The house, completed in 1891, was the first building at the Park. A caption for the photo reads "The model for the ten dollar bill," by Unknown, c. 1895, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 46, Folder: 13, 85-5573, siris_sic_1895.
Image Not FoundGroup of bison standing in paddock near first National Zoological Park Building, a house for the bison and elk. An elk is visible in his paddock in the distance, by C. M. Bell, 1891
Buffaloes grazing at the National Zoological Park in 1891 soon after the completion of the first building, the Buffalo and Elk Barn, a glorified log cabin house for bison and elk. In the background an elk in his yard is visible. The first inhabitants of the Zoo were the 185 animals under the care of William Temple Hornaday, Curator of Living Animals, United States National Museum, that had been sheltered by fences behind the Smithsonian Institution Building. By C. M. Bell, 1891, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 46, Folder: 13, 2004-10344, siris_sic_5972.
Image Not FoundGroup of school children viewing the first bison at the National Zoological Park Building, by Frances Benjamin Johnston, 1899
A group of school children in 1899 viewing the first bison at the National Zoological Park, by Frances Benjamin Johnston, 1899, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 98-015 Box 2 Folder October 1989, 2003-19498, siris_sic_10127. 
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