In 1929, a handful of men, driven by curiosity, founded the Natural History Society of Maryland. For 93 years, men, women, and children have been coming together as a community of the curious to explore, learn, collect, find, research, and discover the wonders of the natural world – each one adding their imprint to the Society.
This year for Founders Day, NHSM honors the contributions of Howard A. Kelly. Recognized as one of the Big Four of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Kelly was a trailblazer in the field of gynecology. But when he left the walls of the hospital, Kelly headed outdoors to pursue his passion for snakes and mushrooms, and really everything in between. In fact, his contributions to the understanding of snakes and fungi resonate today. In 1936, Kelly published The Snakes of Maryland. The recently published Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas is a direct continuation of this effort.
Kelly was also a collector and a generous benefactor of the Society. He was instrumental in securing the location for the first Society Headquarters and museum in Druid Hill Park and gifted many items to the collections including a wonderful collection of tree snails from Florida, which will be on display.
Kelly was also a legend in his own time, appreciating and respecting women in science, letting snakes freely roam the dining room during dinner parties, and famously being bit by a snake while lecturing to medical students on snake bite treatments.
Join us as we celebrate Kelly’s contributions to the 93 year story of the NHSM, a story that is waiting for your chapter to be added.
This special event is open to NHSM members only. Space is limited. Memberships start at $25. Join today! In addition to a lively presentation on Kelly, special specimens from the collections will be on display with interpreters, along with live snakes brought in by members of the NHSM Herp Club.
COVID POLICY AS OF 2/22/22 – the posting of this event. Subject to change. Changes will be communicated to registrants.
The Natural History Society of Maryland, Inc. is a science-based organization. We have adopted the following requirements for in-person, in-building events.
- Wear a facemask over nose and mouth (preferably KN-95).
- Pass temperature check via infrared thermometer and be free of covid-19 symptoms.
- Follow spacing requirements for event.
- Be fully vaccinated or tested negative for covid-19 within 24 hours.
We set forth these rules to ensure that everyone understands what we are requiring to keep our members and participants safe. During the pendency of covid-19 infections in USA, we will adjust these requirements as deemed appropriate based on current information about covid-19.
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