#  Harvard Museum of Natural History 

 



#  Glass Flowers: The Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants 

 [Plan your visit to the Glass Flowers today! chevron\_right](/plan-your-visit) 

 

       ![glass model of blooming rhododendron.](/sites/g/files/omnuum4986/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-01/hero-homepage-ware_608_rhododendron.jpg?itok=6ibhgvrT) 

 

 



 

 



 

##  Featured Exhibitions 

 



  [### Swimming with Sharks

 ](/swimming-sharks)In this remarkable exhibition, discover why the most massive sharks prey on some of the ocean’s smallest critters. Learn how to decipher dietary clues from jaws preserved in Harvard’s world-class collections. Explore how miniature teeth on shark skin help them move efficiently through water.



 

   ![Sharks swimming in the ocean.](/sites/g/files/omnuum4986/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hmnh/files/sharks_exhibit_page.png?itok=B_gqK3Nh) 

 

 

 

  [### Rubies

 ](/earth-planetary-sciences-gallery)*Rubies* is a new, intimate collection of stunning minerals, gemstones, and jewelry on display in the [Earth & Planetary Sciences Gallery.](https://hmnh.harvard.edu/earth-planetary-sciences-gallery)



 

   ![Ruby Butterfly](/sites/g/files/omnuum4986/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/AUPB21%20-%2004164%20The%20Soul%20of%20Flame%20II%20Brooch.small_.jpg?itok=73gp4Vah) 

 

 

 

  [### The Blaschkas at the Microscope: Lessons in Botany

 ](/blaschkas-microscope)New in the Glass Flowers Gallery! Delve into captivating educational models that meticulously illustrate the life cycles of non-flowering, spore-forming plants and fungi. After nearly a quarter century, these remarkable teaching models make their return.



 

   ![Life size model of the spike-moss, Selaginella rupestris. Model 422, Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, 1893.](/sites/g/files/omnuum4986/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hmnh/files/blaschka.mircoscope.cameo_.jpg?itok=78AirjS_) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

##  Upcoming Events 

 



  [### Reactions in Action! The Secret Chemistry of Insects

 ](/event/reactions-action-secret-chemistry-insects?occ_id=0)June 20, 2026

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 3:00PM - 3:30PM EDT 

 

 

   ![A graphic reading: "Reactions in Action: The Secret Chemistry of Insects!".](/sites/g/files/omnuum4986/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/06-20%20ReactionsInAction%20event.jpg?itok=UrxSb7SC) 

 



 

 

   [### Summer Solstice Celebration 2026: Night at the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture 

 ](/event/summer-solstice?occ_id=0)June 21, 2026

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 5:00PM - 9:00PM EDT 

 

 

   ![Guests at Summer Solstice wearing flower crowns.](/sites/g/files/omnuum4986/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/06-21%20solstice%C2%A9TonyRinaldo_2711%20detail.jpg?itok=bTY2aIeP) 

 



 

 

   [### Astonished By Beauty: The Essential Practice of Natural History

 ](/event/astonished-beauty-essential-practice-natural-history?occ_id=0)June 24, 2026

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 6:00PM - 7:00PM EDT 

 

 

   ![A leaping bottlenose dolphin.](/sites/g/files/omnuum4986/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/06-24%20fleischner%20event.jpg?itok=k5RUDndA) 

 



 

 

   [### Summer Science Week: Eureka! The Science of Science

 ](/event/summer-science-week-eureka-the-science-of-science?occ_id=0)Jul. 13 - Jul 17, 2026

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 9:30AM - 12:00PM EDT 

 

 

   ![Shiny scientific equipment.](/sites/g/files/omnuum4986/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-03/Final%20Eureka_thumbnail.png?itok=M2tpBq5g) 

 



 

 

   [### Summer Science Week: Museum Makers

 ](/event/museum-makers?occ_id=0)Jul. 13 - Jul 17, 2026

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 9:30AM - 12:00PM EDT 

 

 

   ![A concentric display of colorful beetles.](/sites/g/files/omnuum4986/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hmnh/files/beetle_concentric_display-1024x768.jpeg?itok=f3lQDa8K) 

 



 

 

   [### Summer Science Week: Spineless Wonders

 ](/event/summer-science-week-spineless-wonders?occ_id=0)Jul. 20 - Jul 24, 2026

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 9:30AM - 12:00PM EDT 

 

 

   ![A closeup of a praying mantid's face.](/sites/g/files/omnuum4986/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hmnh/files/spineless_wonders.png?itok=yxHTRVKb) 

 



 

 

  

 

 

 

 

### From the Hands of the Makers Online Exhibition 

 

Over the course of fifty years, Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, father and son, continually experimented with materials and methods that pushed the boundaries of glassworking.



 [ Learn more about the making of the Glass Flowers arrow\_circle\_right ](https://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/makers) 

 



      ![Glass water lily](/sites/g/files/omnuum4986/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-02/Ware_731_Kent_F-square.jpg?itok=iIC07C7Q) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

##  E-newsletter Sign-up 

Get updates about new exhibitions, evening lectures, classes, and museum events.



 

 



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