The Portland Society of Natural History began in 1836 as the Maine Institute of Science. They later organized as the Portland Society in 1843, incorporated in 1850, and operated until 1972. In the 1960s, photographer Ed Richardson made several images of the interior displays.

This display, on the third floor of the Elm Street museum, featured butterflies from around the world, a Canada Goose, a Snowy Owl, a Black backed Gull and various songbirds and reptiles.