Welcome to our Online Collections Database!
The Dayton Society of Natural History curates approximately 1.8 million objects and specimens across several disciplines including Anthropology, Biology, Geology, and Astronomy.
The Anthropology Collection is our largest (1.4 million items) and highlights of this collection include the extensive SunWatch archaeological collection, historic and modern Native American items from many parts of the United States, and large collections from Ancient Egypt (including a human mummy), Japan, the Philippines, Oceania, and China.
Our Biology Collection (280,000 specimens) includes a number of insect type specimens, the John W. VanCleve herbarium collection from the late 1800s, and a comprehensive bird collection also dating back into the 1800s.
The Geology Collection (15,000 specimens) consists of specimens of Pleistocene (Ice Age) mammals excavated locally by DSNH, the second largest trilobite ever found, and many other fossils. We also curate a large mineral collection with many beautiful and unusual specimens.
Our Astronomy Collection includes a piece of the “Dayton Meteorite,” one of the most unusual and famous meteorites ever found. This meteorite contains two minerals that have never been found anywhere else in our solar system. The Collection also includes a replica of Galileo’s telescope, one of only four in the world modeled directly from the original.
Please note: This Online Collections Database is a working database with information that has been compiled since the late 19th century. Please be aware that certain records may contain outdated language and depictions that are insensitive, offensive, and/or otherwise harmful. These records are not the current views of the Dayton Society of Natural History. If you encounter information in the Online Collections Database that fails to sensitively describe an item or set of items, please contact Collections@BoonshoftMuseum.org with a link to the record in question.
Tips for Searching
Keyword Search
The Keyword Search button allows you to perform a general search across multiple fields for any catalog records online. Keyword searches use OR as the default connector between words (e.g. a search for Hanley Ranch will return records associated with Hanley OR Ranch). If you want to find records where both keywords are found, type in AND between the two words. To search for a specific phrase, be sure to put the phrase within quotes (e.g. "Rocky Pine Ranch"). You can also use the asterisk (*) as a wildcard (e.g. a search for histor* would come up with records containing history, histories, historical, etc.). Searches are not case sensitive.
Advanced Search
The Advanced Search button can help you be more specific with your search. You can search for a word or phrase within a particular search category or use multiple categories to further narrow down your search results. For example, searching White in the People field will bring up any records associated with a member of the White family, without having to sift through black & white photographs. You can also search People and Creator records through Advanced Search. Phrase searching with quotes and use of wildcards (*) are available in Advanced Search.
Random Images
The Random Images button is a great way to just browse the collection. Each Random Images page displays a random assortment of images from the records online. If something piques your interest, click the thumbnail to view a larger version of the image.
Objects
The Objects button will bring up every catalog record we currently have uploaded to our online collections database. You can also use the search function in the Objects tab by entering a keyword(s) or phrase in the search box. You can also simply browse records in the online catalog without performing a search. Phrase searching, wildcards (*) as well as AND/OR statements are available when performing catalog searches.