Milwaukee Public Museum Herbarium
The Botany department at Milwaukee Public Museum consists of a reference library, a research collection of 200,000 botanical specimens, a molecular biodiversity laboratory, microscopes, and work space for scientists to conduct their investigations.
Description
Featured Placement for Fall 2026
Work behind-the-scenes in the museum’s plant collection! Under the supervision of a museum curator or collection manager, assist with plant specimen preparation, repair, filing, and/or inventory. The primary task involves preparing museum specimens from pressed, dried plant material by arranging the specimen and information labels on archival 11″x16″ cardstock so that important aspects of the specimen are visible. Specimens and labels are affixed with archival PVA glue and gummed straps.
Several opportunities also exist for performing technical illustration of an undescribed (new to science) plant species under the guidance of a museum scientist. Volunteers interested in illustration may spend up to 15 of their hours performing this work. Technical/scientific illustrations are monochrome or grayscale line art created using photographs and preserved specimens as models and reference material. These illustrations typically show major plant organs (leaves, stems, flowers, fruits, etc.) and may involve the use of a microscope.
Note: this opportunity can support up to 5 students and may close once spaces are filled. Background checks are required for all volunteers.
Contact:
Chris Tyrrell
414-278-2761/tyrrell@mpm.edu