The members of Carnegie Discoverers share a passion for discovery and adventure and are enthusiastic supporters of Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Founded in 2006 by Dr. Richard Moriarty, the principal purpose of Carnegie Discoverers is to assist and support Carnegie Museum of Natural History in promoting its scientific, educational, and cultural missions and in the development of new and larger audiences for the institution. Through a number of special events each year, Carnegie Discoverers explore and learn about many amazing facets of natural history. These opportunities afford our members a unique relationship with, and a keener appreciation of, Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
Additional information about Carnegie Discoverers can be obtained by calling 412.353.4842 or emailing Development@CarnegieMNH.org.
Membership Levels
Adventurer $500
- Invitation for one to Discoverers events (5-6 lecture/receptions per year)
- Option to bring one guest to Discoverers events
- Invitations to other special events at the museums
- Invitations to 2-3 “connections from the field” with our scientists and fellow Discoverers
Explorer $1,500+
All the benefits of the Adventurer level plus:
- Quarterly behind-the-scenes tours
- Social opportunities with the Director of Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Members of Discoverers can look forward to the following events for Fall 2025:
September 2025 – Exploring Egypt on the Nile
Speaker: Lisa Haney, Ph.D., Curator, Egypt on the Nile
October 2025 – The Colors of Dinosaurs
Speaker: Sarah Davis, Ph.D., Collection Manager, Paleobiology
November 2025 – Gems & Minerals Lecture
Speaker: Chris Emproto, Ph.D., Post Doctoral Fellow, Minerals & Earth Sciences
A sampling of recent lectures:
The Stories We Keep: Conservation as the bridge to connect visitors, staff, and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s collections
Annick Vuissoz, M.S., Senior Manager, Conservation
Future-proofing Museum Collections: Collections Care and Access at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Kathy Hollis, Director of Collections Care & Access
A Diamond in the Rough: Bringing Carnegie’s Ornithological Collection into the 21st Century
Serina Brady, MSc 2, Collection Manager, Ornithology
An Island in a Sea of Sand: Describing New Amphibians and Reptiles from Angola’s Most Mysterious Mountain
Mariana P. Marques, Ph.D., Collection Manager, Amphibians and Reptiles
Looking Closely: Lessons from the Carnegie’s “Natural History Art” Collection
Deirdre M. Smith, Ph.D., Curator of Art and Museum Studies; Professor of Museum Studies in the History of Art and Architecture Department, University of Pittsburgh
(Mr.) Yukking It Up: The Science of Poison, Venom, and Toxicity in the CMNH Collection
Eight Mini-talks from Scientific Staff Members
Nature out of place? Confronting the topic of invasive species
Mason Heberling, Ph.D., Curator, Botany
Searching for the Thylacine: The Sad History of the Tasmanian Wolf
John R. Wible, Ph.D., Curator, Mammals
