Delaware Museum of Nature and Science

The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science will rehouse approximately 10,500 clutches of songbird eggs in its collection, contributing to their long-term preservation. The museum has the second largest collection of eggs in North America representing over 2,000 bird species. Museum staff will purchase archival boxes and paper and hire and train an intern to assist with rehousing. Providing acid-free storage for the egg collection was identified as a high conservation priority in the museum’s Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) program report, as this will help stabilize and protect it from Byne’s disease, a chemical reaction that can damage eggshells. Preservation of the specimens will ensure their integrity for research and advancements in scientific knowledge and enhance access to the collection.