Restoration of Mammal Hall

Celebrating 50 years since the opening of its distinctive building in downtown Harrisburg, the State Museum of Pennsylvania is embarking on restoring one of its most popular exhibits.

Mammal Hall features 13 full-size dioramas of native Pennsylvania wildlife. A combination of art, science, taxidermy and natural history, the exhibit has long been a big draw for families visiting the museum.

Work has begun to clean and restore all 13 of the dioramas, under the leadership of naturalist and artist, Stephen C. Quinn.  He brings long experience in charge of the dioramas at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan.

The project is part of  a larger effort in updating the core exhibits of the museum. A new interpretive master plan will guide the renovations over the next five years, taking advantage of digital, video and interactive technology not available when the exhibits were first installed. Representatives from PHMC, Fish and Boat Commission, Game Commission, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Department of Environmential Protection have been involved on the Natural History Advisory Committee. 

Two of the dioramas have been restored, and the rest are expected to be done by the end of 2016. Check out the video for a glimpse behind the scenes of the work.