# Taxidermy Heritage Archives

> A digital archive preserving the history, art, and science of historical taxidermy through rare books (1771–1926), supply company records, photographs, and original research.

The Taxidermy Heritage Archives collects, catalogs, and publishes historical materials related to the craft of taxidermy. The collection includes rare books dating from 1771 through the early 20th century, supply company catalogs, historical photographs, training manuals, and original research articles on the people, techniques, and studios that shaped the trade. The archive is a division of Stehling's Taxidermy, a family-owned business founded in 1978, and is freely accessible with no account required.

## Pages

- [Home](/): Overview of the archive and recent additions.
- [About](/about): Mission, vision, origins of the collection, and FAQ.
- [Archives & Library](/archives): Hub for all archival collections.
- [Book Collection](/archives/books): Rare taxidermy books and manuals dating from 1771 to 1926.
- [Archival Materials](/archives/materials): Historical photographs, documents, catalogs, and multimedia.
- [Supply Companies](/archives/companies): Directory of historical and active taxidermy supply companies.
- [History & Essays](/history): Original research on historical taxidermy — practitioners, techniques, and studios.
- [News & Events](/news): Updates, announcements, and events.
- [Recent Additions](/recent-additions): The latest items added to the archive.
- [Contribute](/archives/contribute): How to submit materials or information to the archive.
- [Contact](/contact): Get in touch with the archive.

## Reference Guides
- [What Is Taxidermy?](https://taxidermyheritage.com/what-is-taxidermy): Definition, origins, and the museum, sporting, and decorative traditions of the craft.
- [How Taxidermy Works](https://taxidermyheritage.com/how-taxidermy-works): The step-by-step historical process — skinning, preserving, forming, mounting, finishing.
- [Taxidermy for Beginners](https://taxidermyheritage.com/taxidermy-for-beginners): Where to start, first specimens, tools, and the historical manuals to read first.
- [The History of Taxidermy](https://taxidermyheritage.com/history-of-taxidermy): Timeline from curiosity cabinets to Victorian studios and museum dioramas.