San Bernardino County Museum (SBCM) is proud to showcase Avis Marvelous: Ornithology on the Western Frontier, 1776-1897, an exhibit that explores the work of notable avian artists who documented the birds of North America during the 18th and 19th centuries. Avis Marvelous will be on view at SBCM from November 22, 2024, through May 11, 2025.

Curated by Lee Stillman, this exhibit features over 50 colorful engravings of birds paired with historical context on their documentation by explorers and artists of the era featuring a variety of birds ranging from the Columbia Magpie Jay to the Black-chinned Hummingbird, and Mountain Bluebird.

As nineteenth century reproduction technology improved, avian art became widespread, and some artists became household names. John James Audubon, a contributor of the paintings, said, “I know that I am no scholar, but meantime I am aware that no man living knows better than I do the habits of our birds; no man living has studied them as much as I have done.” 

The San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child ages 6 to 12). Children five and under and museum members are admitted free. Parking is free and the museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information, visit museum.sbcounty.gov or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional, cultural, and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the County, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.