The Maria Mitchell Natural Science Museum is a depository for important scientific specimens from Nantucket, Tuckernuck, and Muskeget Islands. The Museum contains plants, birds (the Edith F. Andrews Ornithology Collection), marine life, mammals, and invertebrates (insects, spiders, etc.). Many of these collections were started decades ago and thus, not only do they represent important local species records, but they also document how the species composition has changed throughout recent history. Collections can be viewed for research or educational purposes by contacting the
Director of Natural Science.
Come see the collections during our Collections Open House, Saturday April 20, 1pm – 3pm. There will be activities for the kids!
How many specimens are there?
Plants and Vertebrates
Herbarium (plants): 4,500
Ornithology (birds): 1,000 (See the entire list)
Mammalogy (mammals): 20
Ichthyology (fish): ~14
Invertebrates (insects, spiders, worms, millipedes, etc.):
Marine: ~20
Terrestrial: ~9,000
Shells: ~350
Fossil Shells: 66
In 2009, MMA joined in partnership with the Museum of Comparative Zoology in Cambridge, MA.
