The rain cancelled any thought of hiking today, but the trip to Fisher Museum in Petersham was a mighty fine substitute. Fisher museum (put it on your bucket list!) is an exquisite gem of a place, especially noted for its forest dioramas. They are each about 4 feet by 6 feet and unbelievably crafted! After a while we couldn’t help but wonder HOW they were made ….. for example, were those real twigs used to make the trees? When we came upon a black and white movie from the 1930s (time of construction) it just about took our breath away. My photos are marred by shooting through glass but here they are.
First photo: One of a series of dioramas that use the same scene, over time, from pre colonization to 1930 showing how the forest scenes changed over time. Photo 2: Cut away of the diorama construction. Niftier in person, but here’s a glimpse.
Photos 3,4,5: The construction of the trees. Thin copper wire was used to make them. It’s so amazing and exquisite that I can’t find words for it.
Photo 6: How lovely! School children can “Ask a Scientist a Question” and get a written answer in response.
There was a group of 8 Korean scientists visiting at the same time as us, and we were invited to watch a forest history movie with them. It was really pleasant.
Photos 7 and 8: Lunch at the very delightful Petersham Store. Healthy foods and handmade gifts and such. I had parsnip and apple soup! And if it hadn’t still been raining we surely would have walked about the charming town of Petersham.
SO …. If this f this makes you curious, try googling Fisher Museum at Harvard Forest. Maybe you’ll get to see some GOOD photos of the dioramas! I’m off to stoke the wood stove, Love to all, Penny
First photo: One of a series of dioramas that use the same scene, over time, from pre colonization to 1930 showing how the forest scenes changed over time. Photo 2: Cut away of the diorama construction. Niftier in person, but here’s a glimpse.
Photos 3,4,5: The construction of the trees. Thin copper wire was used to make them. It’s so amazing and exquisite that I can’t find words for it.
Photo 6: How lovely! School children can “Ask a Scientist a Question” and get a written answer in response.
There was a group of 8 Korean scientists visiting at the same time as us, and we were invited to watch a forest history movie with them. It was really pleasant.
Photos 7 and 8: Lunch at the very delightful Petersham Store. Healthy foods and handmade gifts and such. I had parsnip and apple soup! And if it hadn’t still been raining we surely would have walked about the charming town of Petersham.
SO …. If this f this makes you curious, try googling Fisher Museum at Harvard Forest. Maybe you’ll get to see some GOOD photos of the dioramas! I’m off to stoke the wood stove, Love to all, Penny
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