Boston Society of Natural History facts for kids
The Boston Society of Natural History was an important group in Boston, Massachusetts. It existed from 1830 to 1948. This society was all about studying and sharing knowledge about natural history. Think of it as a club for people who loved learning about animals, plants, rocks, and the natural world.
The society created a museum and published a scientific journal. For many years, it moved to different places in Boston's Financial District. These places included Pearl Street, Tremont Street, and Mason Street. In 1864, the society moved into a brand new museum building. This building was at 234 Berkeley Street in an area called the Back Bay. A famous architect named William Gibbons Preston designed it. In 1951, the Boston Society of Natural History changed its name and became the Museum of Science. It then moved to its current home on the Charles River, where it continues to teach people about science today!
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What was the Boston Society of Natural History?
The Boston Society of Natural History was a group of people who loved science and wanted to learn more about the natural world. They collected many interesting things and shared their discoveries with others.
Who started the society?
The society was started in 1830 by several people who were very interested in nature. Some of the founders included Amos Binney Jr., Walter Channing, George B. Emerson, and Benjamin D. Greene. Many of them had also been part of another science group called the Linnaean Society of New England.
What did the society do?
The society held regular meetings twice a month to discuss their findings. They also built up a large collection of natural items. By 1838, their collection included:
- About 700 rock and earth samples.
- 5,000 plant samples.
- 30 full animal skeletons and 30 animal skulls.
- 200 different kinds of birds.
- 130 types of reptiles.
- Around 15,000 insects.
- 130 types of crustaceans (like crabs and lobsters).
- 190 types of sea creatures called radiata (like starfish).
They also had a library with 600 books and pamphlets. The society's room was open to the public every Wednesday, so people could come and see these amazing collections for free!
Recognizing great scientists
In 1864, a surgeon and supporter named William Johnson Walker gave money to create the Walker Prize. This award was given to people who did excellent work in natural history. Later, in the 1960s, the prize was expanded to include all areas of science. One person who won this prize was a zoologist named William Patten, who was a student at Harvard University at the time.
Many famous scientists and experts worked with the society over the years. Some of them included Alexander Emanuel Agassiz, T.T. Bouvé, Thomas Mayo Brewer, and Jeffries Wyman.
How the society became the Museum of Science
After World War II, a new leader named Bradford Washburn helped the society make a big change. They sold their building on Berkeley Street and changed their name to the Boston Museum of Science. In 1949, they laid the first stone for the new museum at Science Park. A temporary building was put up to hold all the museum's collections and staff. Finally, in 1951, the first part of the new Museum of Science officially opened its doors!
Museum buildings and collections
Early homes of the society (1830–1863)
The Boston Society of Natural History moved several times in its early years.
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Amos Binney, one of the founders
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George B. Emerson, another founder
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Benjamin D. Greene, also a founder
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The Boston Athenaeum building on Pearl Street, where the society was located in the early 1830s
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The Provident Inst. for Savings building on Tremont Street. The society used offices on the third floor from 1833 to 1847.
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A picture from the Boston Journal of Natural History, 1837
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Another picture from the Boston Journal of Natural History, 1839
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The society's home from about 1847 to 1863 on Mason Street, Boston
The Berkeley Street Museum (1864–1946)
The society's most famous home was the museum building on Berkeley Street.
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The Natural History Museum on the corner of Boylston Street and Berkeley Street, around 1864
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Inside the museum, showing an exhibition gallery around 1930
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Another view of the museum's interior around 1930
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The former museum building on Berkeley Street, as it looked in 2009
See also
- Boston Journal of Natural History, a journal published by the society from 1834 to 1863.
- Museum of Science (Boston), which the society became.
