A unique collection of taxidermied animals, previously housed at the now-closed Delbridge Museum of Natural History in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is getting a new lease on life. The collection, known as the Brockhouse Collection, faced closure in August 2023 due to the discovery of hazardous arsenic levels in a significant portion of its specimens.
The Brockhouse Collection, comprising 152 taxidermied animals dating back to the 1940s, includes a diverse range of species from monkeys and crocodiles to zebras and tigers. Considered one of the Midwest's most comprehensive taxidermy collections, it was a popular exhibit at the Delbridge Museum. However, the presence of arsenic, a common chemical used in taxidermy until the 1980s, posed a safety risk to visitors, leading to the museum's closure.
This image from the Great Plains Zoo, taken in February 2025, showcases taxidermy animals from the Brockhouse Collection at the Delbridge Museum of Natural History. The collection is now being distributed to various institutions across the United States. (Great Plains Zoo via AP)
The Sioux Falls City Council recently approved a resolution to donate the collection to three institutions. The University of Notre Dame Museum of Biodiversity in Indiana will receive the largest portion, with 117 specimens. The Oddities Museum, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia, will acquire 33 specimens, and the Institute for Natural History Arts Inc. in Woodland Park, New Jersey, will receive the remaining two.
Historically, strong chemicals like arsenic were commonly employed in taxidermy until the 1980s. (Keystone View Company/FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
This relocation ensures the collection's preservation and continued use by reputable natural history institutions. The recipient institutions possess the expertise and facilities to safely display and care for the taxidermied animals, often showcasing them behind glass to prevent contact and further degradation. While the Sioux Falls community expressed sadness over the collection's departure, the decision prioritizes long-term preservation and safe public access.
The Sioux Falls city council unanimously voted to rehome the collection. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The gifting agreements stipulate that the recipient institutions accept the animals in their current condition and assume permanent ownership. This transfer marks a new chapter for the Brockhouse Collection, ensuring its continued contribution to natural history education and research.
