Afternoon at the Museum

August 19, 2024August 19, 2024

Some College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) staff members, led by Dean Steven Marks, took a trip around the world without leaving the Clemson University Campus this summer. The team was invited to take a tour of the Bob and Betsy Campbell Museum of Natural History, which is currently being renovated, and see the private teaching collection in Jordan Hall. There was an array of animal species on display in a variety of sizes representing habitats around the world. From the hummingbird to the crocodile and from the savannah to the rainforest, the museum brings a wealth of educational opportunities to Clemson students, faculty, and staff. Clemson grad and museum staff member Robert Saltmarsh led the tour.

"Much-needed renovations have just been completed in the main building, and exhibit design and construction are being tailored to fit the needs of many current Clemson courses for students and faculty," said Robert Saltmarsh ('24). "Together, these two locations are research hubs used for many undergraduate classes and experiences, graduate student research, and professor research across different colleges and departments. These experiences offer students of all majors the opportunity to study South Carolina native animals, as well as exotic animals, teaching them about anatomy, behavior, and a wide range of other topics they'd be hard-pressed to get anywhere else."

Renovations on the building are ongoing and range from HVAC improvements to adding protective coating to the windows to block UV light from damaging the taxidermied specimens. The collection will be reorganized to represent three continents.

"Each exhibit room will encompass many different habitats and biomes of three continents: Africa, North America, and South America," said Saltmarsh. The rooms will show the vast biodiversity of that continent, as well as allow people to appreciate the complexities of these animals. At our last count, the museum and its private teaching collection houses just over 250,000 animals!"

Renovations will begin in earnest in January 2025, but the museum will remain open so visitors can see the upgrades as they are completed.

"Through our displays of several historic specimens, our exhibits will provide students and visitors with opportunities to closely observe the features of species that are rarely accessible in the Southeastern US," said Richard Blob, Faculty Director. "We plan to illustrate aspects of these species that help them to survive in diverse habitats and to promote an appreciation for the diversity of species in locations close to home and around the world."

The scientific specimens are frozen in time, and each item has a unique history and backstory. Museum Curator Melissa Fuentes is dedicated to preserving the collection for students, visitors, scientists, artists and researchers. She says the specimens have a new life and purpose in the museum.

"The museum and the contents within are an indispensable tool; no, they are a catalyst that ignites a flame inside visitors, young and old, to care about our wildlife, lights a spark in University students to preserve and conserve our natural world, and fans the fire of researchers that may not have been able to continue their work if we hadn't been there to provide much-needed specimens," said Fuentes. "Even as our building lies dormant, we haven't slowed down and have still touched the lives of countless children and their families, thousands of University students, a multitude of researchers, and we hope to top that once the museum awakens from its renovations."

Dean Marks enjoyed the tour and imagined how future CVM students could utilize this space for important teaching and learning opportunities.

"The Bob and Betsy Campbell Museum of Natural History is an asset to the University and will, no doubt, play an important role in educating our students," said Marks. "Students may study specimens on display, and they would also have access to the museum's vertebrate collection in Jordan Hall. The collection includes over 7,000 birds and 4,000 mammals. We are so grateful to have this resource available to students, staff, and the community."

Pending accreditation, CVM will welcome its first class of students in the Fall of 2026. There will be numerous Clemson resources that the CVM will rely on to provide the next generation of veterinarians with a robust education that will prepare them for their careers.

"The Campbell Museum of Natural History is an exceptional resource for our new veterinary school, providing a wealth of anatomical and ecological specimens that can enrich the animal science curriculum," said Karolina Mukhtar, Biological Sciences Department Chair. "Its extensive collections support hands-on learning and research, offering our students and faculty a unique opportunity to explore and understand the intricate details of animal biology and conservation in ways that textbooks alone cannot achieve."

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