Mary BanningExhibit Marks Just the Second Time Banning’s Impressive Research and Art Have Been Publicly Displayed at the State Museum

An Opening Reception Will Be Held on April 4, 2025 at 6:00 P.M.

Albany, N.Y. - Long before mushrooms and mycology captivated the public imagination, self-taught scientist Mary Banning dedicated her life to the study of fungi. However, due to her gender, her work remained unrecognized for almost 100 years. The New York State Museum's latest exhibit, "Outcasts: Mary Banning's World of Mushrooms," celebrates Banning's rich legacy as one of America's first mycologists, who uncovered, documented, and illustrated 23 fungal species new to science in the mid-1800s.

Banning, devoting any precious free time she had outside of domestic obligations to her research, completed her unpublished manuscript, “Fungi of Maryland,” in 1899. The manuscript contained 175 exquisite watercolor illustrations and descriptions of mushroom species. It was entrusted to then-New York State Museum Mycologist Charles Peck and remained hidden in the Museum’s collection for nearly a century before being rediscovered in the 1980s.

Curator of Mycology Dr. Patricia Kaishian said, “Just as fungi were seen throughout history as ‘outcasts’ by Western European scholars, so too were women, including Mary Banning. Mycology has a long, vast history, and Banning’s legacy deserves to be widely known and celebrated. Our team has spent months reviewing her inspiring work in order to craft a comprehensive, interactive exhibit that not only tells the story of fungal research, but that of a woman who dedicated herself to science despite many obstacles. Many of these artifacts have not been on display in several decades, presenting a rare opportunity for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.” 

Director of Exhibitions Carrie Ross said, “This exhibit transports visitors through time and is a direct result of our team's passion and dedication. Over the past several months, they meticulously reviewed the Museum's collection to create an exhibition that truly embodies the groundbreaking work of Mary Banning and other pioneering mycologists. We are thrilled to introduce this exhibition to the public during Women's History Month and look forward to the sense of exploration and discovery it will inspire in our guests.”

This new exhibit features some of the most prized objects in the Museum’s collections, including:

  • 28 original watercolors illustrated by Banning, which will be rotated every six months to ensure best archival practices.
  • Banning’s manuscript and book cover.
  •  An 11-foot-long fossilized fungus found in Orange County, N.Y., estimated to be 370-420 million years old.
  • 12 wax mushroom sculptures completed in 1917 by Henri Marchand as a gift for Peck.

To further increase accessibility, each watercolor features a QR-coded label leading to a dedicated webpage with the text of Banning’s detailed description. The exhibit also includes an interactive wall allowing visitors to explore what a mushroom feels like and a 3D tactile table bringing Banning’s illustrations to life for guests with visual impairments and low vision.

In alignment with the exhibit, several public events are scheduled to further explore Banning’s legacy, including:

History and Hops at the Albany Outpost: Fungi and Feminism – The Pioneering Work of Mary Banning

Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025 

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Location: Common Roots Albany Outpost

An evening of history, science, and the story of women in mycology! Delve further into the life of Banning during a time when women in science were often overlooked. Ashley Hopkins-Benton, Senior Historian and Curator of Social History, will provide context on the barriers women overcame while Dr. Kaishian will highlight how Banning became an inspiration. 

Outcasts: Mary Banning’s World of Mushrooms – A Guided Gallery Tour with Dr. Patricia Kaishian

Date: Friday, March 28, 2025

Time: 12:00 p.m.

Location: New York State Museum, South Lobby

Dr. Kaishian will walk guests through the exhibit, explaining Banning’s pioneering research and its lasting contributions to science. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the legacy of remarkable women scientists.

 Gallery Opening and Celebration

Date: Friday, April 4, 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Location: New York State Museum, South Lobby

Join us for a formal gallery opening and discover a world of mushrooms like never before! Experience a dramatic reading of “The Mushroom Letters” and a gallery exploration. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Collar City Mushrooms and Brooklyn Cider House. Registration is highly recommended.

 "Outcasts: Mary Banning's World of Mushrooms" is now on display in the Museum’s Photography Gallery.

About the Office of Cultural Education

Established in 1836, the New York State Museum is the oldest and largest public museum in the United States. Home to leading scientists, historians, archeologists, and anthropologists, its collections represent the State’s rich cultural and natural heritage from the past and present, including a staggering 20+ million artifacts spanning 1.1 billion years ago to today. Located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission is free. For additional information, visit the New York State Museum website and subscribe to our newsletter. 

The New York State Library, established in 1818, is the largest state library system in the nation and one of the largest research libraries in North America. It oversees a vast network of more than 7,000 libraries statewide. Collections are made available onsite and through a robust interlibrary loan program. The Library’s mission is advanced through several key divisions, including the Research Library, which houses a collection of over 20 million items, the Talking Book and Braille Library, and the Division of Library Development. The Library preserves and maintains invaluable historical collections and works, and serves as a Regional Depository for federal publications. Additionally, the State Library is the official repository of New York State government publications, ensuring their enduring preservation and accessibility for future generations. For more information, please visit the New York State Library website and subscribe to our quarterly newsletter.  

The New York State Archives holds many of the oldest and most important archival treasures in the nation. The Archives preserves and makes accessible over 250 million records of New York’s State and colonial governments dating from 1630 to the present. The State Archives provides free access to photographs, artifacts, documents, manuscripts, and other materials that tell the story of New York’s history via its Digital Collections on the Archives website.    

The Archives Partnership Trust was founded in 1992 to build an endowment and provide project support to enhance humanities programs, increase access to these outstanding treasures, and continue the preservation of New York's historical records. Since its founding, the Partnership Trust, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has supported exceptional projects and programs. These include the Research Residency Program, the Student Research Awards Program, history conferences, special exhibitions, public education programs, book signings and lectures, publications, teacher training institutes, preservation projects, and more.  

The State Museum, State Library, and State Archives are programs of the New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or by visiting the Office of Cultural Education website.   

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