A cold gray evening in the early winter of 1912 saw the gathering of a small, diverse group of Delaware residents. Some were artists; others were entrepreneurs and businessmen and women of Wilmington; all were good friends of Howard Pyle. Howard Pyle, who had put Wilmington on the artistic map with his inspired and impassioned teachings and dedication to his vision of illustration, was dead at the age of 58. Pyle died unexpectedly in November 1911 while on a trip to Italy with his family. Left behind were a legion of grieving students, friends, and admirers. This gathering of saddened friends decided, on that winter night, that something must be done to honor the memory of the artist and teacher who had touched them all so deeply. This group of Pyle’s students and Delaware personalities formed the Wilmington Society of the Fine Arts with the goal of preserving and exhibiting the works of Howard Pyle. Donations from generous local patrons enabled the Society to purchase nearly 100 of Howard Pyle’s works of art—these paintings, drawings, and prints formed the foundation of a collection that would soon include paintings from some of the most talented illustrators in America. When the charter of the society was drawn in 1912, it boasted the signatures of such Delaware luminaries as Louisa du Pont Copeland, and illustrators Stanley M. Arthurs and Frank E. Schoonover. More importantly it stated a broad vision for the future: “to promote the knowledge and enjoyment of and cultivation in the fine arts in the State of Delaware.”

The Delaware Museum of Natural History is now the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science. We have embarked on the most ambitious and significant capital campaign since our doors opened to the public in 1972. Our goal is a complete reinvention—a metamorphosis—to meet the community need for a regional leader in formal and informal science education. Reimagining our main galleries, public spaces, and outdoor campus is at the heart of this metamorphosis. By switching from static dioramas to interactive, ecosystem-based engagements, the new Delaware Museum of Nature and Science will inspire people to discover, examine, and uncover the wonders of science in the natural world. The new Museum will be the go-to place to learn about our world, how we are connected, and how we can make a difference. Upstairs, researchers maintain expansive collections of mollusks and birds, including the second-largest collection of birds’ eggs in North America. Scientists from around the world visit to study specimens and request loans to assist them further in their research. As a non-profit institution, DelMNS relies on the generosity of members, donors, or corporate sponsors to sustain high-quality exhibits and educational programs for the community.

Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is a health, wellness and fitness company based out of 1124 E 7th St, Wilmington, Delaware, United States.