Exhibits
Although the Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum is primarily a research museum, there are a few
opportunities to see specimens from the collection on display around the community of Missoula and
state of Montana. We have two large and four small display cases on the 5th floor of the Mansfield
Library, and two on the 1st floor of the Health Sciences building, both located on the UM campus.
Above: A detail of the Primates display, an exhibit on the 5th floor of the Mansfield Library.
Upcoming Exhibits:
Historic Specimens of the UMZM: This exhibit will focus on the early biologists and naturalists whose contributions helped lay the foundation for the museum as we know it today. Highlighted will be Morton John Elrod, P. M. Silloway, C. F. Hedges, and Dr. Philip Wright. Opening in the Fall of 2012!
Off-Campus Exhibits
The Hornaday - Smithsonian Bison Exhibit: Located at Ft. Benton, Montana, the famous Bison (Bos bison) in this exhibit have
been around for nearly 120 years!
Montana Natural History Center: Located at 120 Hickory Street in Missoula, Montana, the MNHC hosts many of our over
sized live mounted individuals, including three grizzly brown bears (Ursus arctos), a few mountain goats (Oreamnos
americanus), two examples of American bison (Bos bison) exchanged with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural
History, as well as an array of small mammals and historic birds. Visit their website to learn more!
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: Located at the RMEF Headquarters here in Missoula, Montana, the exhibits contains several
shoulder mount Bull Elk (Cervus elaphus)
Valley County Pioneer Museum: Located in Glasgow, Montana, the exhibits contain a full-body mount Audubon's Sheep (Ovis
canadensis)
Past Exhibits
Museum Collections:
An Ornithologocal Perspective
Opened August 2006
This exhibit highlights the vast ornithological collections housed at the museum. Examples of the various types of preservation methods used in the collections can be viewed, including: full-body mounts, skeletons, study skins, nests, eggs and more. Some specimens from this part of the collection are in excess of 100 years old and were collected around the world, from Montana to China!
Selections from the UM
Herbarium
February 2006 - July 2007
Constructed by Melisa Beveridge (pictured at right), former UM student and Herbarium employee, this exhibit showcased the diversity of specimens that are housed in the Herbarium collections. Also featured were original botanical illustrations by Melisa.
Forks, Branches, and
Prongs
Horns and Antlers: What's The
Difference?
February 2005 - July 2006
Discussed the structural differences between antlers, true horns, and the unique horns of the pronghorn. The exhibit featured the collections and research of Dr. Bart O'Gara. Funding for this case was made possible through a generous donation from Wilma O'Gara
Bart's Birds:
A Selection Of Birds From Around
The World
May 2004 - January 2006
From African Hoopoes to Eurasian Capercaillies! This exhibit featured mounted heads that Dr. Bart O'Gara collected during his travels. The collection represented spans nearly 80 years, from 1923 to 2003!
