There are almost 3000 pieces, complete with leaves, petals, stamens, roots, and even pollen and the occasional insect. Unbelievably realistic, and with a beauty of their own, the models were created for teaching purposes. There are whale skeletons with the baleen intact for once, you can visualize just how such large creatures live off tiny plankton. Kids won t be disappointed, neither will the adults. The mineralogical collection is vast and well tagged, and includes meteorites.
Gems sparkle from their cases.
The Peabody collections include Native American Arts of the Southwest, as well as reproduced Mayan artifacts. Down on the first floor, there is a section dedicated to the Bushmen of the Kalahari, and a large Hall of the North American Indian. It s a thoughtful presentation of an important part of the American heritage. Harvard Museums of Boston are out of the way, inexpensive, and unadvertised, this group of museums is one of the best and quietest destinations in Boston. You won t find crowds here, nor will you find guards lurking in every corner this place works by the honor system.