Exhibits

African Animal Collection

An anchor of the museum is the 200-specimen collection of African mammals, the largest of its kind in Pennsylvania, which features 75 full mounts, including an elephant, hippopotamus, zebra, giraffe and forest nyala. The watering hole diorama gives an idea of what it is like to be on the savanna of Africa, seeing all of the animals coming for a drink.

North American Animal Collection

The North American mammal collection has more than 100 specimens including a Kodiak Island bear, great elk, American bison and a musk ox. Beautifully designed dioramas tell the story of the bears of North American, mountain sheep and goats, beavers, wetlands, the American bison, predator and prey relationship, backyard animals and the musk ox in Pennsylvania.

Museum Displays

We use display cases throughout the museum and in the adjacent hallways to rotate and showcase specimens from our museum's scientific and teaching collections. These displays can include items from a wide variety of collections, including geological specimens, birds, bird eggs, Native American artifacts, shells, insects, and fungi.

Isabel Masland Shell Collection

Captured by the beauty, diversity and intricacies of shells, Isabel Masland began collecting in her twenties and traveled the world for over forty years in search of specimens to add to her collection. Her passion for shell collecting has led her to the Philippines, Bhutan, several African countries, Costa Rica and back again. Isabel's impressive collection has been generously given to the Oakes Museum of Natural History so that the beautiful and wondrous world of shells can be explored by others.

Native American Ojibwe Regalia

"Regalia is who we are. It is part of our culture. " - Dale Singer

Part of the Singer Collection of Native American Artifacts, the authentic Ojibwe regalia is made of elk hide, turkey bones, and abalone shell. It features a prayer fan, medicine bag, and symbolic beads. This exhibit is located on the North American Floor.