Curator Elaine von Bruns presents a Spring exhibit that celebrates the bird portraits by Alexander Wilson and John James Audubon, the Fathers of American Ornithology. Both Wilson, a Scot, and Audubon, a Frenchman, sought to create portraits and biographies of all the species of birds in their adopted country.

Wilson’s American Ornithology (1808-1814) and Audubon’s Birds of America (1827-1838) gave Americans and Europeans pictures and knowledge about the wonders of what they both termed “the feathered tribe” of America.

The opening reception will be followed by the Annual Meeting of the Salem Athenæum at 7:00 p.m. The meeting is open to all current Members and Proprietors of the Salem Athenæum.