From the life and net of a butterfly scientist

Vladimir Nabokov, often recognized as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, was also from early childhood impassioned by a very different subject: butterflies.

Nikolai Vavilov and the Suppression of Science in the Modern Era

Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov was one of the most brilliant geneticists of the 20th century, yet died in a Soviet prison for his ideas.

From May to September 2018, Library users were invited to record their thoughts on vintage typewriters set up in Olin and Uris libraries. Inspired by Notes from a Public Typewriter, the typewriters allowed Cornellians to connect with each other and the past. This exhibit spotlights the machines and some of the messages left by people who were experiencing manual typing for the first time, and others who were reconnecting with a bygone technology and with it, long-forgotten memories.

Understanding the Middle East through Geologic Movement

This exhibit features maps donated by Professor Muawia Barazangi, emeritus professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. The maps and images explore how plate tectonics created, and shaped the geography of the Middle East, and how that geologic history resulted in the region’s status as both an oil & gas rich region, and an epicenter of natural disasters.

A Passion for Spiders

Spiders are diverse, fascinating and surprisingly useful to humans.

Cornell's trees are at the core of the beauty of the university's campus, but of course they are also so much more.

Earth Thinking 1970 to Tomorrow

The Whole Earth Catalog captured the spirit of America's first Earth Day celebration.

FASHION AND FEATHERS explores the complex and nebulous space between inspiration and exploitation. Throughout the exhibition, we have endeavored to identify as many birds as possible, hypothesizing about abstracted representations of birds and identifying actual feathers. We invite you to “go birding” in this exhibition. Look closely at each item, identify birds, and in doing so, reflect upon the beauty and tragedy of fashion and feathers.

A peek at select treasures from the collection of Cornell entomologist John G. Franclemont introduces the early history of a fascinating life science.

The Phillips Beekeeping Collection at Cornell is a testament to human vision and dedication, and the labor of millions of bees.

The Voyage and Revelations of HMS Challenger

In late December of 1872, HMS Challenger left harbor to begin the great scientific voyage of her age.