Brockhouse animal collection gifted to 3 institutions

One hundred fifty-two mounts in the Brockhouse animal collection that used to comprise the Delbridge Museum of Natural History are headed to new homes.

The Sioux Falls City Council declared the collection as surplus on Tuesday with a vote of 8-0.

The city will gift 117 specimens to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, 33 pieces of the collection to The Oddities Museum Inc. in Georgia and two specimens to the Institute for Natural History Arts Inc. in New Jersey.

After 40 years, the Delbridge Museum at the Great Plains Zoo closed to the public in August 2023. A work group was assembled to review the city’s options for the collection, including retaining and restoring it as well as donating it.

Because of the collection’s advancing age, the taxidermy specimens “are at a point where significant funding is needed to restore and reimagine it with updated dioramas and interpretive signage,” according to information from the city.

“Based on preliminary estimates, it could cost over $7 million to restore the mounts, dioramas and a new building to create a modernized educational experience upholding best practices for a natural history museum. The A.M. Art Restoration LLC survey report estimated restoration costs for the taxidermy specimens alone at over $850,000. In addition to this one-time cost, ongoing funds will be needed for the maintenance of the specimens and operating costs of the building.”

In evaluating the three institutions selected to receive the taxidermy, “all were found to be reputable organizations in good standing capable of providing adequate care and necessary resources for the respective specimens that they would receive,” said Don Kearney, the city’s director of parks and recreation.

The working group’s effort ensured that “none of the collection will be disposed of, and all items will be put to good use,” he continued.

To say the three organizations selected were excited to receive the taxidermy “would be an understatement,” Kearney said, quoting from a communication from Notre Dame that read: “We are confident that the specimens will be utilized and cared for in a way that honors their historical and scientific significance.”

The taxidermy animals were harvested in the late 1940s through the 1970s by Henry Brockhouse. They were bought by C.J. Delbridge and donated to the city by the Delbridge family.

Six of Delbridge’s eight daughters have signed a statement expressing their support for moving the collection.

Additionally, Jane Delbridge provided a statement of thanks to the zoo staff, various councils and individuals during “this stressful process of decision-making,” she said.

“Another important, sincere thank you to the citizens and government of Sioux Falls for giving the collection such a fine home until now and for now making the decision to give the collection a new home where the budget will provide proper maintenance, where valuable access again will be given to the public, for education and study, and most importantly to remind the public of the fragility and importance of nature and all its creatures.”

The city will retain the stuffed giant panda donated by the People’s Republic of China in 1985.

The council also approved an amendment brought by City Council member Miranda Bayse that would create a Delbridge wildlife legacy exhibit with interactive video to inspire a deeper appreciation for the collection and what it represented to the community.

The space that used to house the Delbridge Museum is part of a broader plan to expand the main building at the Great Plains Zoo, adding a butterfly rainforest and aquarium.

All three institutions receiving the taxidermy animals plan to recognize the city in some way to “allow the Sioux Falls name to continue to live on,” Kearney said.