In the 1800s, the field of mycology, the study of fungi, was in its nascent stages, emerging alongside the Enlightenment-era studies in botany and herbal medicine. During this time, scientific and artistic endeavors intertwined in works like Elizabeth Blackwell’s A Curious Herbal and German naturalist Lorenz Oken’s extensive seven-volume Allgemaine Naturgeschichte, which delved into the classification of various organisms, including mushrooms.
One notable figure who made significant contributions to mycology in America was Mary Elizabeth Banning (1822–1903) of Maryland. Banning, a self-taught artist and scientist, became one of the first mycologists in the country and holds the distinction of being the first woman to describe a new fungus species to science. Her groundbreaking work is now the focal point of an exhibition at the New York State Museum titled “Outcasts: Mary Banning’s World of Mushrooms.” The exhibit showcases 28 original watercolor illustrations and meticulous records of mushroom species from Banning’s unpublished manuscript, “The Fungi of Maryland.” Of the 175 species she documented, 23 were previously unknown to science.
Banning’s manuscript was dedicated to Charles H. Peck, the New York State Botanist and a passionate mycologist at the NYSM. Despite being ostracized from the predominantly male professional circles due to her gender and lack of formal biology degrees, Banning’s work garnered recognition. Some of her findings were published by Peck in the Annual Report in 1871, and her manuscript was stored in a drawer at NYSM for over nine decades.
The exhibition “Outcasts” features a selection of Banning and Peck’s correspondence, Peck’s laboratory equipment, mushroom specimens collected by Banning, and early 20th-century wax models of fungi from the NYSM Natural History Collection.
In addition to Banning’s vibrant illustrations, the exhibit provides insight into the world of mycology, showcasing prehistoric specimens like Prototaxites. These ancient organisms, some of which were found fossilized in Orange County, New York, towered over the landscape millions of years ago, reaching heights of up to 26 feet.
“Outcasts: Mary Banning’s World of Mushrooms” will be on display in Albany until January 4. Visitors can learn more about the exhibition and plan their visit by visiting the museum’s website.
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