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May Natural History Museum | Colorado Springs


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Landmark: May Natural History Museum
City: Colorado Springs
Country: USA Colorado
Continent: North America

May Natural History Museum, Colorado Springs, USA Colorado, North America

May Natural History Museum dubbed “Bug Museum” sits pretty weirdly just south of Colorado Springs at 710 Rock Creek Canyon Road.

Six continents yielded thousands of exotic specimens now residing in one of world's largest private insect and arthropod collections rather brilliantly.

Museum showcases a treasure trove of science and nostalgic relic offering richly detailed peeks into invertebrates' obscure miniature realm pretty vividly.

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James Frederick William May an English-born naturalist raised in Brazil harbored a lifelong ardor for entomology that ultimately spawned this museum.

May began insect collecting fervently as recovery and meditation following his quite grueling stint in Second Boer War.

He crisscrossed South America Africa Southeast Asia Oceania and North America extensively between 1903 and 1956 gathering over 100000 insect specimens.

Beetles and spiders and scorpions were amongst them along with butterflies and moths and millipedes and lots more creepy crawlies.

John May carried on James's work pretty vigorously after his death in nineteen fifty-six rather remarkably down through years.

John eventually established a permanent museum in 1952 on family-owned land in Colorado where it remains today quite remarkably still.

John refused Walt Disney's tempting 1950s offer to merge the collection into Disneyland insisting the May family name stay prominently on museum buildings.

That sense of identity and independence still resonates deeply within museum walls now run by third generation May family members with unbridled passion.

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Museum's permanent exhibit showcases roughly 7,000 specimens preserved from a vast 100,000-piece trove of assorted artifacts and oddities.

It is deemed among largest private entomology collections remarkably diverse and largely accessible to public enthusiasts worldwide every year.

Key groups comprise beetles namely Coleoptera ranging from tiny jewel beetles of thumb size to colossal rhinoceros beetles and goliath beetles.

Tropical swallowtails and morphos flit about energetically alongside massive Saturniidae moths in vibrant displays of Lepidoptera.

Tarantulas and bark scorpions sit glass domes alongside whip spiders eerily preserved specimens of arachnids on fancy elaborate display.

Tropical giants and unusually armored species of centipedes and millipedes exist in vastly diverse forms and habitats around the world.

Stick insects leaf insects cicadas katydids demonstrate utterly bewildering camouflage alongside quite remarkably nuanced mimicry and a host of sound-producing adaptations.

Specimens are labeled meticulously often with region of collection and some date back rather obscurely over a century.

Insects are mounted in handmade wooden cases with original typewritten labels arranged in meticulous symmetry evoking a rather nostalgic vintage flair.

Aesthetic charm evokes curiosity oddly reminiscent of antiquated natural history displays from 19th century.

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Museum building appears fairly unassuming externally but stepping inside feels eerily like entering a bygone era frozen in time suddenly.

Narrow aisles of long glass display cases stretch out under natural lighting and subtle overhead lamps that enhance luminous colors of butterfly wings and beetle shells oddly alongside dragonfly eyes.

Herkimer the Beetle: Outside museum grounds a gigantic Hercules beetle sculpture towers 16 feet tall greeting visitors pretty enthusiastically.

It's a pretty gnarly local roadside legend and major photo op built sometime during the late 1950s era.

Rare specimens of insects gone extinct or off limits due to habitat destruction and stringent legal safeguards render displays historically priceless and decidedly valuable scientifically.

Some displays are unusual featuring predator-prey scenes or examples of insect defense mechanisms beside leaf insects on real leaves.

Interpretive materials scattered throughout museum spaces elucidate taxonomy and anatomy alongside various insect adaptations ecological roles and obscure collection methods.

May Museum keeps a rather personal tone by blending family anecdotes and field stories with loads of pretty scientific information somehow.

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Museum occupies a picturesque spot on Golden Eagle Ranch a private reserve largely unspoiled for sake of wildlife conservation efforts.

Open fields and forested hills surround it peacefully with occasional mule deer providing a pastoral contrast to intricate miniatures on display inside.

Facilities include an RV Park & Campground situated adjacent to museum grounds offering hookups restrooms and showers near a catch-and-release pond.

Families and road-trippers alike flock quite enthusiastically to this spot while on vacation around Pikes Peak region.

A pretty well-stocked shop downstairs peddles weird insect-themed trinkets and books and kits for educating youngsters rather thoroughly.

Surrounded by lush greenery a quiet lunch can be enjoyed by visitors at shaded tables in the picnic area.

Restrooms are conveniently located on site and fully compliant with ADA accessibility standards.

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Museum exhibits pack a deeply educational punch despite occupying a somewhat diminutive footprint and boasting singular value in their own right.

It offers visual taxonomy with displays weirdly organized by insect order and family enabling observation of similarities and differences among various species.

Visitors witness biodiversity in action seeing firsthand variations in insects by continent and climate often with intriguing side-by-side comparisons nearby.

Museum staff highlight insects' crucial role in pollination and decomposition processes vigorously through signage and interpretation for visitors.

It's especially popular among homeschoolers and families with curious kids and also pretty interesting for nature clubs and photographers somehow.

It delivers a slow-paced tactile experience deeply encouraging close observation and profound reflection in stark contrast to modern digital museums.

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May Natural History Museum operates daily from May 1 through September 30 mostly between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM.<br>Off-season visits happen strictly by appointment with a preference for groups over 10 people from October through April.<br>Admission prices vary with adults paying $13 seniors $12 and children between 6 and 12 years old $10.<br>Kids under five get in free generally.<br>Located roughly 15 minutes south of Colorado Springs off CO-115 the museum offers free on-site parking and wheelchair accessibility.<br>Service animals are welcome inside but pets are not.<br>May Natural History Museum stands as one of Colorado's most unusual treasures.

It offers a rare deep dive into entomology equal parts education and spectacle amidst thousands of dazzling insect specimens and quirky vintage atmosphere.

May Bug Museum offers an unforgettable experience full of wonder for seasoned biologists and curious travelers who appreciate tiny natural beauty.



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