Mar

Today in Smithsonian History: March 6, 1959

J. J. Fénykövi, a European big-game hunter, donated a 2-ton elephant hide to the National Museum of Natural History in 1958. William Brown, the Smithsonian’s chief taxidermist, and Norman Deaton mounted the exhibit after a tanner scraped and soaked the hide to make it thin and pliable. Brown observed the habits of elephants to create a scientifically accurate model of an elephant moving at a fast walk, trunk lifted and ears fanned out. The elephant was unveiled in the rotunda of the Natural History Museum in March 1959. The image shows “Henry” in 1978. (Photographer unknown)

March 6, 1959 A male African elephant, a gift from Josef J. Fénykövi, Hungarian-born engineer and big game hunter, and prepared by the museum’s taxidermy staff, is unveiled in the place of honor in the center rotunda of the National Museum of Natural History. At the time of its unveiling, it is the largest land mammal on display in a museum. Fenykovi tracked down and shot the elephant in the Cuando River region of southeastern Angola on November 13, 1955.

Fénykövi donated the two-ton elephant hide to the Natural History Museum in 1958. William Brown, Smithsonian chief taxidermist, and Norman Deaton mounted the exhibit after a tanner scraped and soaked the hide to make it thin and pliable. Brown observed the habits of elephants to create a scientifically accurate model of an elephant moving at a fast walk, trunk lifted and ears fanned out.

Learn more about the elephant affectionately nicknamed “Henry” at the Smithsonian Archives blog, The Bigger Picture.

A sketch showing the measurements of the elephant taken by Josef J. Fénykövi in 1955, which was used by the taxidermists to assist in the preparation of the mount. Image from Smithsonian Institution Archives

Josef J. Fénykövi and his wife with Secretary Leonard Carmichael at the unveiling of the Fénykövi Elephant on March 6, 1959. (Photographer unknown, via Smithsonian Institution Archives)

The unveiling of the Fénykövi Elephant in the Rotunda of the National Museum of Natural history on March 6, 1959. (Photographer unknown, via Smithsonian Institution Archives)

Taxidermist Frank Greenwell inspecting the Fénykövi Elephant for deterioration on March 11, 1981. Image from Smithsonian Institution Archives, photo by Kim Nielsen.