Mel Lincoln Journals

Mel Lincoln's professional journals preserve valuable historical insights into early 20th-century museum practices, habitat diorama construction, and the construction of ecologically accurate exhibitions in museum settings. Transcribing Lincoln's journals will make his detailed accounts and innovative methods accessible to researchers, enhancing our understanding of museum curation history and aiding current and future museum professionals in developing best practices. Melville Lincoln began his career at the Natural History Museum (NHM) in 1913 as an apprentice under J.D. Figgins, a leading expert in habitat group construction. Lincoln quickly rose through the ranks. By 1930, he was responsible for the Habitat Group Division, overseeing the creation and ecological accuracy of the museum's dioramas. His expertise led to his appointment as Senior Curator of the Division of Habitat Groups in 1947. Throughout his career, Lincoln organized and participated in numerous museum expeditions, significantly contributing to the museum's collections and educational materials.