New England Forests Through Time

Insights from the Harvard Forest Dioramas

In the late 1920s, Richard T. Fisher, a Harvard professor and founder/director of Harvard Forest, and philanthropist Dr. Ernest G. Stillman conceived of an exhibit depicting the land-use history, ecology, and conservation of New England forests. The culmination of their vision was a series of exquisite dioramas - miniaturized but realistic three-dimensional scenes.

These 23 dioramas can be divided into four series:

• Landscape History of Central New England
• Conservation Issues in the History of New England Forests
• Forest Management in central New England
• Artistry and Construction of the Dioramas