Marchand Hall of Wildflowers

Many of the spectacular exhibits that made the Buffalo Museum of Science world-renowned in the 1930s and 1940s were creations of the Marchand family, Henry and his sons, George and Paul. Since then, the Museum has undergone major changes, but some of the finest dioramas created by George and Paul remain.

George and Paul Marchand left the Museum in 1944, but Paul returned in 1965. During his 25-year hiatus, he perfected his specialtyóscientifically accurate and artistically superb casts of flowers and mushrooms that made him famous throughout the museum world in North America.

He spent five years updating and improving exhibits and completely refurbished and extended the Hall of Plant Life, now the Marchand Hall of Wildflowers. In the exhibit, his meticulous workmanship combines artistry and science. Paul was a consummate naturalist who carefully researched subjects.

His work is in the collections of museums in Springfield, Urbana, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Rochester, Westport, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Montreal, Smithsonian, National Parks system and New York Botanical Garden.

In addition to the Marchand Hall of Wildflowers, you can admire Paul's craftsmanship in the Insects Magnified and Magnificent exhibit. The Museum is the only repository of his insect models.