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The Hillsdale College Museum is one of the oldest museums in the state of
Michigan. It was established sometime between 1855 and 1873 and re-named the
Daniel M. Fisk Museum of Natural History in 2008, in honor of its first known
curator. The museum must have been well regarded in the late 1800's, as after a
devastating fire that destroyed much of the old museum in 1874, many institutions,
including the Smithsonian, McGill and Brown Universities, and Wabash College,
came to Hillsdale's aid by donating specimens to rebuild the collections. After
Professor Fisk's careful stewardship ended, the museum fell into disarray and
many specimens were lost or given away. In 1998, Dr. Anthony Swinehart, began
to reassemble the collections, which were scattered across campus, until 2008
when Dr. Frank Steiner, Chair of Biology designated a large room in the
Strosacker Science Center as space for the revitalized museum.
Michigan. It was established sometime between 1855 and 1873 and re-named the
Daniel M. Fisk Museum of Natural History in 2008, in honor of its first known
curator. The museum must have been well regarded in the late 1800's, as after a
devastating fire that destroyed much of the old museum in 1874, many institutions,
including the Smithsonian, McGill and Brown Universities, and Wabash College,
came to Hillsdale's aid by donating specimens to rebuild the collections. After
Professor Fisk's careful stewardship ended, the museum fell into disarray and
many specimens were lost or given away. In 1998, Dr. Anthony Swinehart, began
to reassemble the collections, which were scattered across campus, until 2008
when Dr. Frank Steiner, Chair of Biology designated a large room in the
Strosacker Science Center as space for the revitalized museum.
Historic Knowlton Hall in the
late 1800's
late 1800's
Historic Knowlton Hall prior
to its demolition in 1999.
to its demolition in 1999.
The red arrow in this photo
points to the tiny door at the
very top of Knowlton Hall
where the 1,404 plant
specimens and other artifacts
were found.
points to the tiny door at the
very top of Knowlton Hall
where the 1,404 plant
specimens and other artifacts
were found.
Dr. Anthony Swinehart, left, and Dr. Donald
Toczek, right, marvel at the find of vaulable
specimens in the attic of Knowlton Hall.
Toczek, right, marvel at the find of vaulable
specimens in the attic of Knowlton Hall.
Dr. Swinehart's students
carry many stacks of folders
bearing valuable plant
specimens from the 1800's
out of condemned Knowlton
Hall, to their new home in the
Strosacker Science Center.
carry many stacks of folders
bearing valuable plant
specimens from the 1800's
out of condemned Knowlton
Hall, to their new home in the
Strosacker Science Center.
A photo of Knowlton Hall during demolition in
1999. The red arrow indicated the door to
the space where the herbarium and other
artifacts of the old museum were discovered.
1999. The red arrow indicated the door to
the space where the herbarium and other
artifacts of the old museum were discovered.
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