NJ bog turtle featured in Smithsonian exhibition marking America's 250th anniversary
National Museum of Natural History exhibition showcases more than 600 objects representing the nation's natural and cultural heritage.
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A bog turtle from New Jersey is among the more than 600 specimens and cultural objects featured in a new Smithsonian exhibition celebrating the nation's natural and cultural heritage.
The National Museum of Natural History opened "From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage" on June 18. The exhibition, which spans 5,000 square feet, features objects from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories and will remain on display through December 2029.
The exhibition includes seven objects from New Jersey, including a bog turtle, the state's official reptile. The species is the smallest turtle in North America, growing to no more than 4.5 inches long and weighing less than four ounces. Bog turtles are listed as endangered in New Jersey because development has reduced and fragmented much of their habitat.
Drawing from the museum's collection of more than 148 million objects, the exhibition highlights fossils, minerals, cultural artifacts and scientific discoveries that explore the connections between people, places and the natural world.
"This exhibition brings the entire country into one gallery—letting visitors encounter the extraordinary breadth of America's natural and cultural heritage," said Kirk Johnson, director of the National Museum of Natural History. "As the country marks its 250th anniversary, 'From These Lands' presents an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our landscapes, the depth of our history and the connections that link people and the natural world across borders."
