Bronze Bison

More than 100 years ago, real bison grazed outside the Smithsonian Castle building. Bison are returning in a bold new way! Three larger-than-life bronze bison, created by sculptor Gary Staab, find a permanent home outside the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.  

These towering sculptures of a bull, cow, and calf are at 125 percent scale and modeled after taxidermy specimens seen at the Smithsonian between 1888 and 1957. The original bison diorama introduced generations of visitors to an animal and a prairie landscape they had never seen and helped spark the bison conservation movement.  

The new bison bronzes will welcome visitors from around the world and celebrate America’s national mammal. 

Gift of Naoma Tate and the family of Hal Tate.