There are around 20 different species of armadillo but only the nine-banded armadillo can be found in the United States. Its body is covered in small, armor-like plates and it can have between seven and eleven bands across its back. This specimen was used by the Grand Rapids Public Museum as a teaching aid between 1930 and 1980.
1930 – 1980
2" h 25" w 12" d
Current Location Status:
L Is For Lyceum - Overlooked Animals (2016) In the ancient world, the lyceum was where the greatest Greek philosophers taught. The concept of the lyceum was revived by American intellectuals in the 19th century who believed that public education was an important part of our democracy. Founded in 1854, the Grand Rapids Public Museum was originally named the Grand Rapids Lyceum of Natural History. In 2015 the Grand Rapids Public Museum School was founded with many community partners. The Museum School has developed its own version of the lyceum - an innovative after-school program that pairs local experts with middle school learners to exercise their minds and bodies by exploring an eclectic range of topics.
This changing exhibit was created by a class of lyceum students who designed the exhibit from start to finish, choosing the topic, selecting the artifacts and writing the text.
L is for Lyceum is one section of the interactive exhibit Collecting A to Z. This exhibit includes thousands of treasures from the GRPM’s Collections featured throughout the Museum.