Behind the Scenes: The Smithsonian Museum's Hidden Collections

TLDRDiscover the hidden collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, which houses over 147 million specimens. These collections, containing everything from dinosaur bones to pickled animals, are not often seen by the public but are crucial for scientific research. With a growing threat of flooding and limited space, the museum is facing challenges in preserving its treasures. However, advancements in digital scanning and storage techniques offer hope for the future.

Key insights

💎The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History holds over 147 million specimens, making it the largest collection in the world.

🔍Less than 1% of the museum's collection is on display, with the majority tucked away in hidden collections.

🔬The specimens in the hidden collections are actively used for scientific research and have a big impact on various fields.

🌊The museum faces the challenge of flooding due to its location in the floodplain of the Potomac River.

🌐Advancements in digital scanning and storage provide a potential solution for preserving the collections and making them accessible online.

Q&A

Why are the hidden collections important?

—The hidden collections are crucial for scientific research and provide a comprehensive library of specimens for studying and understanding the natural world.

How are specimens acquired for the museum?

—Specimens are acquired through field collection, donations, and purchases funded by endowments.

How are the hidden collections protected?

—The specimens in the hidden collections are cleaned, maintained, and protected using various methods, such as beetle cleaning, air scraping, and custom storage cradles.

What challenges does the museum face in preserving its collections?

—The museum faces challenges such as limited space, the threat of flooding, and the need for funding repairs and improvements.

How can the digital scanning of specimens help preserve the collections?

—Digital scanning creates a digital archive of the specimens, allowing for online access and reducing the need for physical storage, which can be affected by environmental factors.

Timestamped Summary

00:21The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has over 147 million specimens, making it the largest collection in the world.

00:47Less than 1% of the museum's collection is on display, with the majority tucked away in hidden collections.

01:13The specimens in the hidden collections are actively used for scientific research and have a big impact on various fields.

07:25The museum faces the challenge of flooding due to its location in the floodplain of the Potomac River.

08:21Advancements in digital scanning and storage provide a potential solution for preserving the collections and making them accessible online.

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