There is a supposed tale that a large part of the collection that could not be given away was dumped in the Providence river. This story has been heard from two separate sources; Martha Joukowsky and University Curator, Robert P. Emlen.

This story also appears in the Encyclopedia Brunoniana entry for the Museum of Natural History, recording that "Professor J. Walter Wilson became chairman of the Biology Department and took matters into his own hands. Failing to receive permission to discard the material and unsuccessful in offering it to the Roger Williams Park Museum and the Audubon Society, he was finally able to receive permission to store it elsewhere on University property, if he could find a suitable place. The site he selected was a dump on the banks of the Seekonk River, where 92 truckloads of stuffed birds and animals, reptiles, and bones were conveyed. Some years later one survivor, a stuffed albatross, was found in the attic of Van Wickle Hall."

Encyclopedia Brunoniana entry for RI Hall- a short history

Home