Successful Day at Schisler Museum

Arthur and Fannie Schisler in the museum during last year's grand opening. Photo Credit / Rebecca Jasulevicz
Arthur and Fannie Schisler in the museum during last year's grand opening. Photo Credit / Rebecca Jasulevicz
Arthur and Fannie Schisler in the museum during last year’s grand opening.
Photo Credit / Rebecca Jasulevicz

Emma Skilton
SC Staff Writer

This past weekend marked a successful opening of the Schisler Museum of Wildlife and Natural History to the ESU community.

Friday and Saturday, the ground floor of the Warren and Sandra Hoeffner Science and Technology Center was packed with guests from wall to wall.

Students and parents crowded the small hallway from the planetarium to the museum, anxious to see the results of over a year of work.

Upon entering the museum, guests could be overheard saying things such as, “I never knew this existed,” or, “Are you sure we’re not at the American Museum of Natural History?” while others were simply speechless.

Even staff and alumni were stunned with the results. One alumnus in particular said he had been anxiously waiting for the museum to open since construction had started.

Throughout the day, visitors were greeted with a chorus of simulated birdcalls, informational talks, cupcakes, refreshments, and surprise guests.

President Marcia Welsh, who had nothing but wonderful things to say about the museum, and Arthur and Fannie Schisler themselves were present.

Art and Fannie, both graduates of ESU from the class of 1962, are solely responsible for collecting over 100 animals featured in the museum.

Forty years of hunting earned Schisler recognition as one of only 15 people to hunt all of the big game species in North America. “I am ecstatic with what they have done with the collection,” said Art.

With grandchildren in tow, the Schislers walked the museum and shared stories of their adventures across America, Iceland, Africa and many other countries and continents.

Lucky guests were able to ask them questions and get stories behind their favorite animals in the exhibit.

Looking forward, the museum hopes to make some big changes.

They are also looking to appoint more hands-on opportunities and new planetarium shows to correlate with exhibits in the museum.

Their goal is to be open on weekends with free admission for students, but not the public as it will be busy hosting school groups and private events.

If you missed your chance to see its world-class exhibits last weekend, the museum will be open similar hours on Homecoming Weekend and during the fall Open House on October 4.

Email Emma at:
eskilton@live.esu.edu