Dec 17, 2024

Penn State Herbarium adds historic perspective to modern research

Boasting a collection of an estimated 35,000 plant specimens form around the world, the Penn State Herbarium is the third largest herbarium in Pennsylvania. Among its holdings are 3,000 plant specimens from the personal collection of Even Pugh, the first president of Penn State.

There aren’t many things left on campus from the time of Evan Pugh, Penn State’s first president. The bell in Old Main was cast in 1871—seven years after Pugh’s untimely passing—and the Old Main he would have known was torn down in the 1920s. Old Botany, the oldest structure on campus whose exterior has not undergone significant exterior renovation, was erected more than 20 years after his death. If Pugh somehow returned today, perhaps the only items he might recognize would be the bones of Old Coaly, the beloved mule who helped haul the limestone blocks for the original Old Main, and his own collection of plant specimens: 3,000 of them, gathered and pressed or purchased by Pugh’s own hands and now kept safe in the Penn State Herbarium.

In the basement of Whitmore Lab—far end of the hall from the elevator and to the right, just past the restrooms—Curator Sarah Chamberlain is just the sixth person since Pugh’s death entrusted with the safekeeping of his collection, along with the 100,000 or so other specimens that have since been added and now comprise the Pennsylvania Agricultural College (PAC) Herbarium’s holdings.

“The Penn State Herbarium is the third largest herbarium in Pennsylvania and the only significant, scientifically functioning herbarium in Central Pennsylvania,” said Chamberlain. “The PAC specializes in the flora of Pennsylvania with almost two-thirds of its holdings from the areas within the Commonwealth, mostly in the central to western part of the state. The PAC also houses an estimated 35,000 specimens from North America as well as smaller collections from Europe, Asia, and Latin America.”

Kept a steady 69 degrees Fahrenheit and at low humidity, the collection boasts an extensive archive of plants, seeds, historical equipment, and notable curiosities: one of Chamberlain’s favorite samples to display for visitors are insect eggs preserved along with their plant hosts. She’s also quick to point out ginkgo leaves collected from the famed Hortus Palatinus garden of Heidelberg Castle by Pugh himself, and an 1883 wood rush specimen taken from “woods where Gen. Reynolds was killed.” Major General John Reynolds, a Lancaster, PA native, was commanding I Corps, Army of the Potomac, when he was shot from his horse at the battle of Gettysburg.

The collection provides important historical samples that modern researchers can use as references for how plants have adapted to changing conditions over time: researchers can collect specimens of many of the same species now, but only by comparing with an archival record can you see the trajectories of how those species have learned to cope with factors like climate change, industrialization, widespread use of motor vehicles, habitat loss, and modern agricultural practices.

Far more than just a historical record, however, the PAC Herbarium is a working scientific facility. It assists in plant identification, performs and trains scientists in vouchering necessary to publish plant research in most journals, and maintains an active portfolio of hands-on educational activities for teachers and students.

“The PAC is completing two grant-funded initiatives to create a digital library of our collection,” Chamberlain said. “Currently, we have around 94,000 specimens catalogued in a searchable online database accompanied by high resolution images. This will allow researchers throughout the world to view our specimens and access ancillary information. In the case of the Pugh collection, it will be the first time that German botanists will be able to view them—many of which were collected in Heidelberg while he was completing his dissertation.”

“For educators, we curate a variety of experiences for students from K-12 through university-level courses. We give tours, host class projects, conduct plant-related workshops, and have even developed an escape room based on tree identification that has been a big hit with local girl scout troops!”