Field Days

About the Program:

Step behind the scenes of museum exploration and discover how artists and scientists worked together to create the iconic exhibits and collections found in museums around the world.

As you travel through our Field Station property, you'll visit expedition camps where some of the world's leading museum professionals will demonstrate the techniques, tools, and field practices used on historic collecting expeditions. For the first time, experts across multiple disciplines will come together in one location, recreating the collaborative environment of a real museum expedition.

Experience live demonstrations that reveal the remarkable effort required to build renowned natural history dioramas and scientific collections. Along the way, you'll gain insight into expedition art, specimen collecting, reference gathering, field research, and scientific discovery, all while being guided through this immersive outdoor experience by your host, George Dante.

The day concludes with an informal dinner, offering a unique opportunity to relax and connect with the instructors. Following dinner, participants are invited to gather around the campfire (weather permitting) for an evening of storytelling, conversation, and live music.

Whether you're passionate about natural history, art, science, or adventure, Field Day offers a rare opportunity to experience the world of museum expeditions firsthand.

Activity Level & What to Expect:

This is an outdoor spectator event and private tour that will take place rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear suitable for outdoor conditions.

Participants will be transported throughout the property in UTV vehicles and will participate in short walks over uneven and varied terrain. Attendees should be comfortable entering and exiting vehicles and walking short distances outdoors.

Due to the nature of the site, terrain, and tour activities, this event may not be suitable for individuals with mobility limitations. If you have accessibility questions or specific accommodation needs, please contact us before registering so we can discuss available options.

A lunch break will be provided during the tour. Participants should bring their own lunch, snacks, and beverages, as lunch will not be provided.

For additional information on recommended items to bring, please follow the link below:

What to bring and expect.

Event Outline: 

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Guided Expedition Tour

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Dinner & Campfire Gathering

Participants will be asked to arrive by 9:30 AM to allow time for setup and coordination. If you are running late, please call us at (973)-650-8875 or (973)-609-2153 and let us know.

Throughout the day, participants will travel together as a single expedition team, exploring our 270-acre private Field Station by UTV. Along the route, visitors will stop at seven immersive stations representing the diverse disciplines that contributed to historic museum expeditions.

At each station, host George Dante will introduce the discipline, explain its role within an expedition, and present the featured instructor. Participants will spend approximately 30 minutes at each location observing live demonstrations, learning specialized techniques, and engaging directly with experts whose work continues the traditions of museum field research and exhibition development. There will be time for a brief lunch break at midday.

Following the tour, participants are invited to enjoy an informal dinner and the rare opportunity to spend additional time with the instructors in a relaxed setting. As evening falls, the group will gather around the campfire (weather permitting) for conversation, storytelling, and live music—bringing the day to a close in the spirit of the historic expeditions that inspired the event.

Event Instructors

The following museum professionals will be featured on the tour:

Dr. Walter Meshaka – Herpetologist at Work

Observe Dr. Walter Meshaka as he demonstrates how reptiles and amphibians are located, collected, documented, preserved, and studied for scientific research and museum collections. Through hands-on demonstrations and discussion, visitors will gain insight into both historic collecting practices and the modern methods used by scientists today.

Click here to read Dr. Walter Meshaka's bio.

Darrin Lunde – Mammalogy in the Field

Discover how mammals have been studied and documented on museum expeditions for more than a century. Darrin Lunde will guide visitors through the techniques used to collect, prepare, and preserve specimens for scientific research and exhibition. Learn how field methods have evolved over time and how museum collections continue to advance our understanding of the natural world.

Click here to read Darrin Lunde's bio.

Dr. Peter Capainolo – Ornithology and Bird Research

Join Dr. Peter Capainolo for an inside look at the work of ornithologists in the field. From collecting and documenting specimens to preparing them for long-term scientific study, visitors will explore the critical role birds have played in museum research and exhibitions. The presentation will highlight both historical expedition practices and the technologies shaping modern ornithological research.

Click here to read Dr. Peter Capainolo's bio.

Sean Murtha – Painting the World for Dioramas

Before photography became commonplace, museum artists traveled alongside scientists to capture landscapes through sketches, paintings, and color studies. Sean Murtha will demonstrate how mural artists documented environments and transformed their field observations into the breathtaking panoramic backgrounds seen in natural history dioramas. Visitors will also learn how advances in photography changed the process while preserving the artistic vision behind these iconic exhibits.

Click here to read Sean Murtha's bio.

Stephen C. Quinn – Designing Dioramas

Long before a museum diorama was constructed, artists created detailed scale models to plan every aspect of the exhibit. Stephen C. Quinn will demonstrate how these miniature studies helped determine composition, specimen placement, lighting, and storytelling. Visitors will gain a behind-the-scenes appreciation for the creative problem-solving and meticulous planning required to bring a diorama to life.

Click here to read Stephen C. Quinn's bio.

Joyce Cloughly – Botanical Art and Foreground Collection

The plants and landscapes featured in museum dioramas are every bit as important as the animals themselves. Joyce Cloughly will showcase the techniques used to collect, document, and preserve botanical specimens in the field. Through examples of sketches, color studies, mold-making, and preserved materials, visitors will learn how artists accurately recreate natural environments and capture the richness of ecosystems.

Click here to read Joyce Cloughly's bio.

George A. Dante, Jr. – The Art and Science of Taxidermy

Conclude the expedition with an exploration of one of the museum world's most recognizable disciplines. George Dante will demonstrate how field-collected specimens are transformed into museum-quality taxidermy through a combination of artistic skill, anatomical knowledge, and scientific accuracy. Visitors will learn how traditional methods have evolved over time and how modern taxidermists continue to create exhibits that inspire curiosity and connect audiences with the natural world.

Click here to read George A. Dante's bio.

Join us for this exclusive behind the scenes look that demonstrates how science and art come together to create and support natural history exhibits and collections.

Group Size: 12 participants

Age Restrictions: Adults and young adults

Class Policy:

By purchasing a ticket for this event, participants acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to the Event Waiver and Release Agreement. During registration, participants will be required to check a box indicating their acceptance of the waiver's terms and conditions. Please review the waiver carefully before completing your registration, as ticket purchase constitutes acceptance of the agreement.

Cancellation Policies:

• If the event is postponed, rescheduled, or relocated by the Institute for Natural History Arts, your ticket(s) remain valid, and no further action is necessary.

• Ticket price is non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by The Institute for Natural History Arts.

  
  

PAYMENT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE!  Select Afterpay when you check out.