From the adorable raccoons sometimes caught sneaking into your own trash bins to the majestic jaguars patrolling the Brazilian tree tops, the Thomas T. Taber Museum of the Lycoming County Historical Society will feature a variety of wildlife specimens for all to enjoy in an exhibit starting from 6 to 8 p.m. on First Friday, Aug. 4.

“In the Wilds of Pennsylvania and Beyond” includes taxidermy-mounted specimens and artwork from the permanent collections of the museum, as well as the meticulous renderings of animals by well-known artist John Strawbridge.

The exhibit includes animals familiar to residents of Pennsylvania including a raccoon, bear cub, fawn, turkey and other native birds. The mounted specimens were expertly preserved by Williamsport taxidermist Charles Eldon (1852-1930). Eldon opened his shop in 1878 in Williamsport and continued his practice well into the Twentieth Century. The artwork from the permanent collection includes a mixture of prints and paintings.

Premiere among the offerings of the exhibit are the meticulous pencil renderings by John Strawbridge depicting exotic animals including the majestic American bison, an alligator, an African crowned crane, Brazilian jaguars, a herring gull and more familiar animals like chickens, cats and dogs.

The exhibit of Strawbridge’s work was made possible by Susan Strawbridge, Jerry and Janice Regan, Cindy and Craig Dunn and Clyde and Dianne Peeling. Previous to their exhibit at the Taber, the artistic renderings were on display at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art in Millersburg.

Adding to the evening will be remarks at 7 p.m. by Strawbridge’s longtime friend, Clyde Peeling, founder and operator of Reptiland.

Strawbridge (1946-2021) had a lifelong interest in the natural world. Born in Williamsport, he graduated from the Williamsport High School and attended Penn State, subsequently graduating with a degree in architectural drafting from what is now known as the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

In addition to his drawings and paintings, he designed and created exhibits and interpretive signage for zoos, wildlife parks, historical sites and museums throughout East Africa, Central America, Florida and Pennsylvania. Early on, Strawbridge was associated with the Lycoming County Historical Society and later became director of the Hershey Museum in the early 1970s.

With Clyde Peeling, he designed and built ZooAmerica Wildlife Park in Hershey in the mid-1970s.

The wildlife exhibit will continue through Aug. 31. Light refreshments will be served during the opening on First Friday. The museum is located at 858 W. Fourth St., Williamsport.

For further information, please call 570-326-3326 or visit our website at www.tabermuseum.org