Bremer County Historical Society Restoration

Hi, my name is Ava. I am a local high school student and volunteer at the Bremer County Historical Society. I have become fascinated with the Albrecht Wing at the museum. This part of the museum is filled with taxidermy and other artifacts from C.J. Albrecht, a world explorer, zoologist, photographer, and animal sculptor from the early 1900s. He had 32 expeditions from the Arctic of Siberia to the jungles of Africa. Taxidermy has always come with its controversies, but back in his time, these animals were taken for scientific education. There was no internet or a real way for people at that time to be able to see what these animals looked like. These animals were taken and hung in many museums, including the Field Museum in Chicago, IL. C.J. Albrecht, from Bremer County, donated an addition along with photography, paintings, and some of the animals he collected during his expeditions for all to enjoy.

Unfortunately, the Albrecht Wing had been closed for several years until this last fall due to repairs needed. My goal is to bring this room back to life. Part of this process is the restoration of some of the taxidermy specimens. The specimen, which is my favorite, is the Black Rhino. This piece needs the most repair. Black Rhinos are on the critically endangered list. This makes it even more important to save what specimens we have so that it didn't die in vain.

The Bremer County Historical Society has found quotes from taxidermists in the area and the cost to repair the Rhino quote is $3,500.

My goal is to raise money for this piece of taxidermy as a start to the restoration of the entire room so that C.J. Albrecht's mission to educate about natural science can continue for future generations.