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For close to 100 years, the Puget Sound Museum has been an invaluable institution in the Puget Sound region and a pillar on the University of Puget Sound campus. 

Puget Sound Museum History, Gordon D. Alcorn, 1974

“At the suggestion of a number of people I am persuaded that I should jot down brief sketches of the lives of past and present scientists who have contributed greatly to the Museum.  It occurs to me also rather abruptly that I am the only living person who knew Kitchin and Bowles well and had the rare privilege of spending many years with them in their homes, at meetings and in the field. I have tried to point out some of the personable characteristics of both Kitchin and Bowles. One would have to have known them fully to realize what colorful men they were in the prime of their scientific lives. Even today I find myself thinking as these men and on occasions even using expressions ‘borrowed’ from them.

“It is probable that more elaborate sketches should be made of the present-day members of our Museum community. Too often modesty prevents a fuller outline of accomplishments. Overlooking this fact, we should never forget that we are building all aspects of the Museum for the years to come and not just for today or tomorrow.

"The following brief history of certain individuals involved in the past and present work of the Museum is to be regarded as only preliminary to future additions to the lives of all concerned. We must continue to add pictures of a personal nature, add accomplishments and copies of all publications. Generations come and go but ‘accomplishments go on forever.’” Alcorn, G.A. 1974.

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name change

In May of 2023, the University of Puget Sound decided o remove the name James R. Slater from the museum and return it to its original name, Puget Sound Museum of Natural History. This decision came after Slater’s problematic history was brought to light by Grace Eberhardt ’20.

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history of eugenics

Learn about the problematic history of James Slater, eugenics at the University of Puget Sound, & the renaming of the museum.

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alcorn

Search for archival images of the museum through the University Archives.

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the birds

The Puget Sound Museum has changed immensely over the decades, but our love of collections & specimens has never changed!

Pictured: visitors enjoying museum specimens at the museum’s open house event in its new Thompson Hall location, 1987.