Lunchtime Discovery: The Bug House Legacy: Uncovering the History of the Washington Field Museum

  • Wednesday, December 17, 2025
  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm
  • Downtown Raleigh

graphic with text "Lunchtime Discovery Series" title on top with three photos below. One is a black and white photo of a person and dog outside of a large log cabin building, a logo with circular text that reads "The Bug House Laboratory Washington NC Field Museum" with an illustration of a log cabin building, and a black and white photo of inside a room full of pinned insects, taxidermy birds, and tables with animal exhibitsJoin us in-person in the SECU Daily Planet Theater or Watch the livestream on YouTube Live.

In 1923, four boys from Washington, North Carolina, created a small museum.Beginning in a tent, their “Bug House Laboratory” eventually moved into its own building and became the Washington Field Museum, at one time the largest amateur museum in the United States. Its collection garnered visits from the Museum of Natural Sciences, including director H.H. Brimley and taxidermist/forensic ornithologist Roxie Simpson (Laybourne). Many other distinguished scientists and curators took note of their work, including the National Museum of Natural History and the American Museum of Natural History. Join us to learn more about the renewed interest in its history and how the City of Washington and local organizations work to keep the memory of the “Bug House” alive.

Stephen Farrell, Curator of Special Collections, George H. & Laura E. Brown Library
Ray Midgett, Vice President, Historic Port of Washington Project


Live Presentation hosted by NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ SECU Daily Planet Curator Chris Smith and the NC Department of Environmental Quality Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs staff. Brought to you by the NC DEQ Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

Details

Date:
December 17
Times:
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Venue

Nature Research Center
121 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601 United States
Phone:
919.707.9800

Organizer

Chris Smith
919.707.9296