After arsenic contamination led to the closure of the Delbridge Museum, the iconic Brockhouse Collection of taxidermy animals will be relocated to new homes at prestigious institutions for preservation.

A legendary collection of taxidermy animals, including crocodiles, tigers, zebras, and monkeys, is about to begin a new chapter after health concerns forced its removal from display.

For decades, these creatures were part of the Brockhouse Collection at the Delbridge Museum of Natural History in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

However, an alarming discovery in 2023 — that nearly 80% of the specimens were contaminated with dangerous levels of arsenic — prompted the closure of the museum.

The public, who had admired the collection for years, feared these iconic creatures would be lost forever.

After months of deliberation and testing, the Sioux Falls City Council voted unanimously to approve the transfer of 152 taxidermied animals to several prominent institutions.

The University of Notre Dame Museum of Biodiversity, the Oddities Museum in Atlanta, and the Institute for Natural History Arts in New Jersey will receive portions of the collection, ensuring that these specimens will continue to be preserved and appreciated by future generations.

The decision to part with the collection wasn’t made lightly. Sioux Falls residents had a strong emotional attachment to the Brockhouse Collection, which had been displayed in the area for nearly 40 years.

The collection was originally assembled by local businessman and hunter Henry Brockhouse, who began showcasing it in his hardware store before it was donated to the city after his death in 1978.

Over the years, the collection grew in stature, becoming an important part of the city’s cultural fabric.

For many, the animals represented a nostalgic link to Sioux Falls’ past, and the idea of them being relocated elsewhere brought sadness to the community.

Council Member Curt Soehl expressed his personal disappointment, stating, “There is no path forward to keep it in Sioux Falls. Pains me to say that. It’s going to be sad for me to let that go.”

However, despite the heartbreak of losing the collection, many recognized the practical necessity of the move. The arsenic contamination presented a serious risk, particularly because the museum lacked proper barriers to prevent people from touching the specimens.

This made it a liability issue, as the aging taxidermy could not be properly safeguarded without appropriate care and equipment.

The animals will now be displayed in controlled environments, likely behind glass, at their new homes. Experts will ensure the preservation of these specimens, which will continue to be studied and admired for years to come.

The decision also sparked conversation about the future of such collections. While some residents were reluctant to part with the Brockhouse animals, others were comforted by the idea that the specimens would be cared for in reputable institutions.

Council Member Miranda Basye, while acknowledging the emotional significance of the collection, noted, “With as much memory and as much legacy as I think is really wrapped up into this collection… I think the right place for it is with these other institutions that are going to care for it, that are going to give it a long-term life.”

The Brockhouse Collection’s move has sparked a wider discussion on the value of preserving historical artifacts while balancing health and safety concerns.

Arsenic, once commonly used in taxidermy and preservation methods, poses significant health risks when exposed over time. As awareness of these risks grows, more institutions are reevaluating how they handle collections of this kind.

The Sioux Falls decision sets a precedent for how dangerous materials in public displays can be addressed with care and respect.

Ultimately, this decision has ensured that the Brockhouse Collection will not be lost to history. Its animals will continue to fascinate and educate, albeit in new homes where they can be properly managed and preserved.

For the people of Sioux Falls, while it’s bittersweet to see the collection leave, there’s comfort in knowing that it will be put to good use by those who will keep it safe and share its legacy with a wider audience.

The Brockhouse Collection’s relocation represents a poignant moment in the community’s history, as the city bids farewell to one of its most unique and beloved cultural treasures.

As these taxidermied animals are packed up and shipped off to their new homes, they carry with them not only the physical remnants of their lives but also the memories of a city that will always remember them as part of its past.