…designed to spark curiosity and engagement.
We will bring together a mix of collection highlights on objects, artifacts, or images paired with prompts that encourage visitors to observe closely, guess their purpose or origin, and investigate further. Photos may be used as visual clues, inviting users to identify details or solve small “mysteries” about the items.
Alongside these interactive elements, the page will include short, engaging tidbits, unusual facts, historical context, or behind-the-scenes insights from the curator that make the content feel lively rather than academic. Search features or guided questions help users dig deeper into the collection, turning passive viewing into active discovery.
Overall, our goal is to create a playful, educational experience that blends storytelling, inquiry and exploration, making our museum content more accessible and memorable for a broad audience.
#3 – May 8, 2026 – Hummingbirds
Amazingly, there are 366 species of hummingbirds which are only found in the Western Hemisphere. Do you know which country has the highest diversity? It’s Ecuador with 132 species, representing over 40% of all hummingbird species. However, only 15-17 species regularly nest in the United States with the Ruby-throated Hummingbird being the most common here in the eastern U.S. (Wikipedia)
How many hummingbirds can you find in Franklin Pember’s collection? Well, perhaps you’ll visit us to find out!
#2 – May 1, 2026 – Eyespots?
Tigers have white, eye-like spots on the back of their ears. Some believe these marks serve as a defensive mechanism to intimidate predators and rivals by creating the illusion of a watchful gaze from behind, making the tiger appear alert even when resting or drinking.
This bird is a large species of pheasant from Southeast Asia. Carl Linnaeus gave the bird its specific name (from which its common name and genus name are derived) because of the intricate eye-like patterns on its wings, in reference to a hundred-eyed giant in Greek mythology. (Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London, England: Christopher Helm. p. 55. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.) He uses his eyespots for courtship display to attract a female.
What is my name? Great Argus (Argusianus argus)
This moth is a member of the family Saturniidae, the giant silk moths. It’s a tan-colored moth, with an average wingspan of 6 in. The most noticeable feature of the moth is the large, purplish eyespot on each hindwing; its name is from a cyclops in Greek mythology. These spots are a defensive mechanism to confuse or distract predators. The species, first described by Pieter Cramer in 1776, is widespread in continental North America, with local populations found throughout subarctic Canada and in all the United States except Arizona and Nevada. (Wikipedia)
What is my name? Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus)
#1 – April 24, 2026
We are often asked… What is the oldest specimen in the collection?
Franklin Pember collected two Pileated Woodpeckers in Casselman, Ontario. The male was obtained on October 8, 1862, and the female on October 22, 1862. You will find them at the museum in exhibit case #6.