Martha Maxwell

Martha Maxwell
Taxidermist, Naturalist
1831- 1881
INDUCTED 1985

A mostly self-taught taxidermist, Martha Maxwell was among the first to display animals in dioramas that showed them in their natural habitat.

She hunted for her specimens in the mountains and plains of Colorado. After building a large collection of birds and mammals, she opened a museum in Boulder and later in Denver to display her work. Martha developed new taxidermy techniques using plaster molds and iron frames. As she gained national attention for her unique approach, she was asked to produce an exhibit for the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibit in 1876. Her display proved to be one of the most popular exhibits at the event.

All must die sometime; I only shorten the period of consciousness that I may give their form perpetual memory.” — Martha Maxwell