Drawn to Nature: Natural History Books from Special Collections

When you think of natural history, what comes to mind? The term usually conjures up images of zoos, botanical gardens, and museums, or naturalists tromping through jungles. Yet, as this student-curated exhibition explores, the advancement of scientific knowledge is only one of many reasons people in the past studied the natural world. What other purposes did natural history serve? What were its broader impacts and lasting legacies, both positive and negative? Beyond the history of science, how does natural history connect to social, cultural, and economic history?

The exhibit is available for viewing Monday-Friday from 9am-noon and 1-4:30pm, or by appointment (closed weekends, holidays, and WWU intersession). It is free and open to the public. 

For more information or to schedule class or group visits, please contact Michael Taylor, Special Collections Librarian, taylo213@wwu.edu, (360) 650-3097.