Academics
Future Rangers
About
Athletics
Resources
University News

Academics
Future Rangers
About
Athletics
Resources
University News

April 15, 2024
NWOSU Admin

12,000 Specimen Donation Triples Inventory at Northwestern’s Museum of Natural History

The Northwestern Museum of Natural History now has some nice signage to help show visitors where it is located using the west doors into Jesse Dunn.

The items may not be sizable, but their quantity certainly makes up for it.

A recent donation of about 12,000 specimens to the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Museum of Natural History from the owners of the Gypsum Hills Nature Museum in Hardtner, Kansas, has tripled the inventory of Oklahoma’s second-oldest museum.

The portion of the collection the museum received from Bill and Janet Smith, who recently closed their museum to move to Alaska, deals largely with rocks, beetles, butterflies and moths from Woods County specifically and Oklahoma more broadly.

This moose head is the largest item donated to the Northwestern Museum of Natural History from the Gypsum Hills Nature Museum. Museum directors Thomas Cornell (left) and Dr. Nicholus Ledbetter successfully maneuvered the sidewalks and stairs to get the piece into the museum.

This moose head is the largest item donated to the Northwestern Museum of Natural History from the Gypsum Hills Nature Museum. Museum directors Thomas Cornell (left) and Dr. Nicholus Ledbetter successfully maneuvered the sidewalks and stairs to get the piece into the museum.

“This donation is massive and beautifully preserved,” said Dr. Nicholus Ledbetter, assistant professor of biology and co-director of the campus museum. “We will likely have one of the bigger insect collections in the state, potentially top five.”

Thomas Cornell, assistant professor of visual arts and museum co-director, said that the moths and butterflies have already been used in his visual arts courses including the natural history drawing class and the professional practices and gallery administration class. These students have put together a display to show a few of the species donated and may be viewed in the museum on the second floor of Jesse Dunn from 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Megan Valdez, Alva junior majoring in general studies, said the class members have been learning how museums and galleries set up their exhibits, what measurements are needed for the space and deciding what objects or species will be shown.

Ledbetter found out about the possibility of this donation during an MTG or Magic the Gathering Commander Club night at the Cherokee Strip Museum where he and Cornell play the trading card game every second Friday.

Moths, butterflies and other insects are among the 12,000 specimens recently donated to the Northwestern Museum of Natural History from the Gypsum Hills Nature Museum in Hardtner, Kansas.

Moths, butterflies and other insects are among the 12,000 specimens recently donated to the Northwestern Museum of Natural History from the Gypsum Hills Nature Museum in Hardtner, Kansas.

He said that not only did the museum obtain a myriad of cool insect specimens, it also received all of the equipment needed for the staff to make its own specimens, which he is excited to use in his zoology class.

Cornell said the agriculture department also plans to use the donation in its classes as it was given pinning boards for the collection of moths and butterflies.

“As we accession and inventory the collection, we plan on sharing the generosity that was shown to us by sharing what is redundant to our collection or resources that might act better as part of the university’s teaching collections to the relevant departments,” Cornell said.

Ledbetter also noted that this expanded collection could also be helpful with the efforts he and Cornell have been making this past year to acquire outside funding for museum improvements.

Northwestern’s Museum of Natural History was established in 1902 by G.W. Stevens, head of the biology department at that time. According to the museum’s web page, in 1908, Stevens and former student assistant and protégé, T.C. Carter, traveled to Alaska where they spent seven months collecting hundreds of specimens of mammals, birds and bird eggs to bring back to the campus museum. These materials were added to the already extensive collection of specimens native to the Oklahoma area.

These butterfly specimens are among many other items recently donated to the Northwestern Museum of Natural History.

These butterfly specimens are among many other items recently donated to the Northwestern Museum of Natural History.

Cornell noted that because a large portion of the current museum’s collection came from that trip to Alaska, it seemed fitting to accept the donation of a moose head from the Hardtner museum collection so that it might continue to be displayed and shared with those who visit the campus museum.

“Their museum was a real treasure that consisted of multiple sub-collections,” Cornell said. “The majority of the larger taxidermy animals went to the Cherokee Strip Museum in Alva, and I look forward to seeing them on display there.”

For more information about the museum, contact Ledbetter at (580) 327-8673 or nmledbetter@nwosu.edu or Cornell at (580) 327-8111 or tacornell@nwosu.edu or visit https://www.www.nwosu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences/natural-science/museum-of-natural-history.

To learn more about the Northwestern Department of Natural Science, visit https://www.www.nwosu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences/natural-science, and for more information about the visual arts program, visit https://www.www.nwosu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences/fine-arts/visual-arts.

-NW-

Share:

More Posts

• Northwestern Oklahoma State University theatre students pose in exaggerated monster poses with clawed hands and startled faces during a rehearsal for “Monster” in Ryerson Hall. Several hold green scripts, and a letterboard sign on the floor in front of them reads “Monster by Don Zolidis Oct 1-3.”

Northwestern Oklahoma State University Presents Student-Directed One-Act “Monster” Oct. 1-3

Northwestern Oklahoma State University Presents Student-Directed One-Act “Monster” Oct. 1-3 Members of the cast for the upcoming student-directed theatre production of “Monster” (back row, left

A Northwestern fan in a red Rangers shirt holds up a phone to take a selfie with Rowdy, the Ranger mascot in a cowboy hat and chaps, in the stands at Ranger Field during the Family Day football game.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University Family Day Set for Sept. 19 in Alva, Oklahoma

Northwestern Oklahoma State University Family Day Set for Sept. 19 in Alva, Oklahoma A Northwestern fan takes a selfie with Rowdy, the Ranger mascot, during

Six people in matching black “NWOSU Donovan Reichenberger Scholar 2026” hooded sweatshirts stand in a row on grass at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, with rolling green countryside and a clear blue sky behind them.

Applications Due Oct. 1 for Reichenberger Legacy Scholar Program Trip to Philadelphia

Applications Due Oct. 1 for Reichenberger Legacy Scholar Program Trip to Philadelphia Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s inaugural class of Donovan Reichenberger Legacy Scholars and their

Ranger Blog Icon

22 Northwestern Seniors Placed in Student Teaching Assignments in Oklahoma, Kansas

22 Northwestern Student Teachers Placed in Oklahoma, Kansas Emma Curry – Chickasha High School Chase Kite – Aline-Cleo High School Kaylyn Aldrich – Pioneer-Pleasant Vale

PrevPreviousFellers Family to Lead ‘Ranger Expedition: 2024’ Homecoming Parade

NextNorthwestern Art Students Displaying Art in New Gallery SpaceNext

709 Oklahoma Blvd., Alva, OK 73717
Phone: (580) 327-1700

Navigation

Academics
Future Rangers
About
Athletics
Resources
University News

Academics
Future Rangers
About
Athletics
Resources
University News

Quick Links

University News
Online Application
Title IX Info
Sitemap
Employee Directory

Facebook X-twitter Instagram Snapchat Youtube Flickr Pinterest Linkedin

Mission Statement

Northwestern Oklahoma State University provides quality educational and cultural opportunities to learners with diverse needs by cultivating ethical leadership and service, critical thinking and fiscal responsibility.

Privacy Policy | Powered by High Five Media

About
Academics
Admissions
Student Life
Resources
Athletics
Alumni

About
Academics
Admissions
Student Life
Resources
Athletics
Alumni