I went off to visit family in Upstate New York and as a result started going out to all the little places hidden in the small, mountain-side towns nearby. One of the museums I remember going to as a very small child is the Pember Library and Natural History Museum – located right in the middle of the town my grandmother lives in. This museum is above a decent sized library, which is open, for free, to the public. The library itself is on a donation if you want basis, with a large collection of taxidermy animals, many of which you’d never see in this small town.
The Pember Library and Natural History Museum was actually started by Mr. Pember – a fur tradesmen who felt the town needed a library. He ran successful trades all over the United States, and collected some of the furs and taxidermies he was coming across. He then worked with the town to fund and open the library, placing his own collect upstairs and slowly collecting other animals, eggs, insects and more to display. Inside the Natural History Museum, there is a small section talking about the history of the library and museum, with pictures and documents from that time. This is such a nice addition, really showcasing the history of the building you are standing in and how this whole museum came to be.
Walking around the museum, there is an impressive collection of taxidermy animals – birds, bears, smaller rodents all line the inside of glass cases – forever preserved. Each animal has a small sign, stating what they are, and some of them are marked as endangered or saved or even extinct animals, which is really interesting to see. When you walk around, you can find yourself really looking at these creatures – and I was wondering how a penguin or some of these huge birds ended up in upstate New York! In the middle of the room, there are glass topped display cabinets full of shells, collections of various birds eggs and bugs for you to look at. When I was a child, I remember seeing the butterfly boxes and being amazed that there were so many butterflies – I had thought there were only one kind, monarchs. There are also beetles, insects and dragon flies all perfectly preserved.
The Pember Library and Museum of Natural History does have a rotating display which at this time contained fashion through fur and feathers – showing off when select pieces throughout history where fur and feathers were predominantly used in fashion. It’s set up much like the history of Pember display, with cards telling the history, and little tokens emphasising it.
Seeing these little local museums is quite interesting after having visited so many abroad. It’s neat to see what locally is considered something to feature and how local history plays such a big role in what is currently there.
You can check out our other Days Out to see what else we’ve been up too!
This looks like an eclectic little museum. I love anything to do with natural history, my kids always enjoy looking at the taxidermy animals in museums here.
It is such a neat little museum!
Their collection looks fantastic, I like the wide variety they have. It would be fun to spend some time here!
It is such an interesting collection!
It sounds like there were plenty of things there to see. I think that this would be a place my kids would find interesting.
As it’s above a library, you can end up spending a lot of time there.
What an interesting place! I’ve never seen a library with that many animals in it! I know my youngest would love it.
It is such a neat experience.
Ever since I was a kid, I am a fan of museums. I love discovering new things and histories of anything. If I could go there I would also take a lot of pictures. Love your shots as well. They are beautiful.
It is such a fun place to photograph!
This is a very educational place. We have a Natural History Museum here, my children love it!
It’s so good so many places have them!
library and museum? my two favorite types of places! I need to add this place to my bucket list now. Thank you for sharing.
I hope you can visit someday!
Pember Library & Natural History Museum looks like a fabulous place to visit. I am sure my children would enjoy looking at the taxidermy animals as they look so life like
They really do!
Museums always make for such fascinating outings!
They really do!
oooh I love visiting such places and when I do, I take my time and learn more about whats catches my eyes.
It is fun to explore!
I love going to museums but have never been to the Pember library museum, it seems amazing. I can’t wait to check it out, can’t wait.
It is such a cool place, if you are ever in the area.
Museums are so much fun to explore especially during the winter since it’s an indoor activity. Looks like a fun place to check out!
Yeah, it is great to stay out of the cold!