Archives After Dark: Tales of Taxidermy
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
6:30–8:30 pm
Julius Kirschner/© AMNH
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
6:30–8:30 pm
Discover the skill, art, and science involved in transforming preserved animals into lifelike specimens, and learn about the people who helped create the Museum’s famed dioramas.
Divya Anantharaman, founder of Gotham Taxidermy and a professional taxidermist based in New York City, will share some of the techniques and craftsmanship behind the practice.
Then, take a closer look at the Museum’s own taxidermy history through archival photographs, documents, and other materials, with a focus on Sinclair Clark (1902-1999), a legendary Black taxidermist whose work at the Museum and at museums around the world, helped shape the practice of specimen preparation in the 20th century.
You’ll be able to see objects and archival images that tell the stories of some of the Museum’s most recognizable exhibits, and consider what taxidermy can tell us about the making of a natural history museum.
Founder of Gotham Taxidermy
This program is presented by the Gottesman Research Library and Learning Center.