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One of the most famous permanent exhibits at the Museum of Science is the Colby Room. Colonel Francis Thompson Colby (1882-1953) was a military figure, a world traveler, and a big game hunter who spent much of his life traveling in African countries in the early 20th century. He was the greatest benefactor in the Museum of Science’s first 175 years, but he never actually got to visit Science Park.
One of the most famous permanent exhibits at the Museum of Science is the Colby Room. Colonel Francis Thompson Colby (1882-1953) was a military figure, a world traveler, and a big game hunter who spent much of his life traveling in African countries in the early 20th century. He was the greatest benefactor in the Museum of Science’s first 175 years, but he never actually got to visit Science Park.
In the 1950's, Colonel Colby presented the Museum of Science with an unexpected gift: a million-dollar endowment and his trophy room of art and artifacts. The Colby endowment provides funding for the Museum’s exhibits and collections, allowing us to take care of our historic materials while continuing to develop new, innovative experiences. The endowment also stipulates that we maintain his collection of hunting and cultural artifacts as it was originally displayed in his home in Hamilton, Mass. In addition to unique animal specimens, this exhibit includes a number of paintings and photographs that relate to Colby’s travels, mainly in Africa. Although Colonel Colby never visited the Museum in person, he was inspired by our commitment to public education, and wanted to support our efforts.
When the Museum acquires an artifact or work of art, we learn everything we can about it: where the item was created, who collected or owned it, and other important history or characteristics. Unfortunately, the Colonel passed away before the artifacts were given to the Museum. We are missing the stories of the African artists and experts who helped Colby acquire these artifacts, and what inspired his love of his adopted African home.
The Colby Room presents an opportunity for today’s educators to reinterpret the narrow colonialist narrative of the past with better questions about their role and responsibilities. Since these materials arrived at the Museum in 1965, MOS staff has been able to conduct some research into their origins with the assistance of subject experts and scholars, but more research is needed to continue identifying and interpreting the histories represented in this room. We are committed to continuing this important work with community partners, and are eager to share what we learn.
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Museums today are responsible for reevaluating racist or limited perspectives in their exhibits, especially historic components.
The Colby Room includes many examples of taxidermy, which was an important teaching tool in pre-digital science collections.
Colonel Colby commissioned several works from Maasai artists, including the shield shown here.
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