Curator's Cupboard

Any visit to the Natural History Museum is guaranteed to be filled with amazing discoveries about the awe-inspiring diversity of life and the forces that shape our world. But did you know that the displays and exhibits that spark your wonder and curiosity are only the tip of the iceberg? It's true. For every exotic gemstone, rare and beautiful animal specimen, cultural artifact and dinosaur fossil, there are millions more in the vaults — our Curator's Cupboards — far from the lights of the display cases, waiting for you to see them.    

 

Active Research

The Natural History Museum isn't just about putting an awesome collection on display. Just beyond the exhibit halls, there's a whole world of active research going on as our curators and researchers examine the more than 35 million objects in our archive and uncover the secrets they reveal of our natural world.

Curator's Cupboards are a chance for curators and Museum visitors to meet, and share a glimpse of the amazing specimens and artifacts you won't get to see on a routine visit to the Museum. In past events our curators have shared rare marine and mammal specimens, actual meteorites, and dinosaur fossils, and insect critters so exotic you'd think they were from Mars.

Rad Reptiles & Amphibians

Saturday, February 18, 2012; 10:30 am - 3:30 pm 
Grand Foyer, Level 1
Ever heard about the Hairy frog or the Spanish ribbed newt that uses its ribs as weapons? How about the gliding lizards that can glide from tree to tree to escape predators?  Come meet the strange and amazing reptiles and amphibians from our Curator’s Cupboard.  Join us for a behind the scenes tour of the herpetology collection which includes the extinct Golden toad and the largest lizard of all, the Komodo dragon!  Also, meet our Live Animals with our Live Animals Program Staff!

Behind the Scene Tours:  
12pm and 3pm (max 10 people each first-come, first-served)

Meet Scientists:
Herpetology Curator Gregory B. Pauly, Ph.D & Collections Manager Neftali Camacho

Sea Worm Safari

Saturday, March 17, 2012; 10:30 am - 3:30 pm 
Grand Foyer, Level 1
Today meet one of our more unique and beautiful marine life forms!  From feather duster to bristle worms, we’ll have a variety of intriguing polychaetes on display from our collection.  Talk to our experts and get behind-the-scenes with our Curator of Polychaetes, Dr. Kirk Fitzhugh, on one of his tours.  

Behind the Scene Tours:  
12pm and 3pm (max 10 people each first-come, first-served)

Meet Scientists:
Polychaetes Curator Kirk Fitzhugh, Ph.D & Collections Manager Leslie Harris

Santa Monica Mountains Science Festival

Friday, April 27, 2012; 7 pm - 10 pm
Saturday, April 28, 2012; 11 am - 4 pm 
This will be the 3rd annual Santa Monica Mountains Science Festival, sponsored by the National Park Service in partnership with the Natural History Museum at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills. For inquiring minds of all ages! Watch owls fly at night. Identify a wildflower. Learn how to track mountain lions and bobcats. Listen to stories from long ago. Discover the mysteries of your neighborhood national park!  Free event.

For more information on Curator's Cupboard please call Briana Burrows (213) 763-3471 or email burrows@nhm.org.