Dioramas

The diorama—a distinctive fusion of art and science—has provided a window onto wilderness for generations of museum visitors. For many, dioramas provided their only opportunity to experience distant places and exotic wildlife. Impressive in scale and detail, and frequently capturing a dramatic moment, these displays were early versions of virtual reality. Although their magic has diminished somewhat with the advent of television and the internet, dioramas still provide an opportunity to experience these magnificent animals up close.

There are 37 dioramas in the Academy, the majority of which were created between the 1930s and 1950s. Dioramas featuring bison, musk-ox, bears, mountain sheep, and moose can be found on the main floor in North American Hall. African animals such as lion, zebra, opaki, gorilla and antelope, and Asian animals, including tiger, kiang, panda, and yak are located in African and Asian Halls on the second floor. A diorama featuring the extinct passenger pigeon is located on the third floor.