Behind the Scenes of Outcasts: Mary Banning's World of Mushrooms

Mary Elizabeth Banning (1822–1903) was one of the first American mycologists, specialists in the study of fungi. She was a talented, self-taught scientist who studied mushrooms in Maryland in the mid-1800s. Banning was also one of the first women to describe new species of fungi to science.

Join NYSM Curator of Mycolory Dr. Patricia Kaishian as she discusses Banning's life, her research and connection to the New York State Museum, and her invaluable contributions to the study of mushrooms.