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The University Of Iowa Museum Of Natural History: An Historical Perspective, George D. Shrimper
The University Of Iowa Museum Of Natural History: An Historical Perspective, George D. Shrimper
Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS
The 132-year record of UIMNH essentially mirrors historical and on-going trends in related institutions. As scholarship grew in the natural sciences during the 19th century, natural history museums became centers for scientific research. A "Golden Age" of museum-based expeditionary work and taxonomic research was marked at UI by the careers of curator/naturalists Calvin, Nutting, Macbride, and Shimek. Systematic biology and paleontology thrived with the accumulation of extensive collections. De-emphasis of "natural history" studies followed after 1920-30 with a concomitant growth in cellular and molecular biology. In seeking new directions and financial support, many museums, including UIMNH, shifted emphasis to public …