Outcasts: Mary Banning’s World of Mushrooms—A Gallery Tour with a Museum Educator
December 26, 2025
Free
Join a New York State Museum Educator for a fun and interactive walk-through Outcasts: Mary Banning’s World of Mushrooms. Together we’ll explore the colorful mushroom illustrations of Mary Elizabeth Banning, learn about her adventurous spirit, and discover how she followed her curiosity even when science wasn’t always welcoming to women.
This guided tour is a great way for families to experience the exhibit, ask questions, and see how mushrooms, often thought of as “outcasts” in nature, can inspire wonder, creativity, and new ways of thinking about the natural world.
Family Guide: A Closer Look at Outcasts (PDF)
A companion to the exhibition, this guide invites families to learn key fungal terms, spark curiosity, and engage with Mary Banning’s illustrations through hands-on activities.
