Old favorites in Boston

GLASS FLOWERS AT HARVARD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY “Don’t sneeze when you pass the goldenrod,’’ said Carol Carlson, the museum’s Volunteer Coordinator. She’s joking, of course, because the goldenrod in question, all 1,000 individual florets, is made of glass. Starting in 1886, artisans Leopold Blaschka and his son, Rudolph, were commissioned to make glass flowers as a way to teach botany. The project continued for five decades, and resulted in a collection that includes over 3,000 life-size models representing more than 830 plant species. Displayed in a climate- and light-controlled setting on the third floor of the museum, it’s hard to believe these delicate objects are not the real thing. Tip : Bring a small flashlight to illuminate floral details. 26 Oxford St., Cambridge, 617-495-3045, www.hmnh.harvard.edu/on_exhibit/the_glass_flowers.html
Necee Regis Photo

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GLASS FLOWERS AT HARVARD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY “Don’t sneeze when you pass the goldenrod,’’ said Carol Carlson, the museum’s Volunteer Coordinator. She’s joking, of course, because the goldenrod in question, all 1,000 individual florets, is made of glass. Starting in 1886, artisans Leopold Blaschka and his son, Rudolph, were commissioned to make glass flowers as a way to teach botany. The project continued for five decades, and resulted in a collection that includes over 3,000 life-size models representing more than 830 plant species. Displayed in a climate- and light-controlled setting on the third floor of the museum, it’s hard to believe these delicate objects are not the real thing.

Tip: Bring a small flashlight to illuminate floral details. 26 Oxford St., Cambridge, 617-495-3045, www.hmnh.harvard.edu/on_exhibit/the_glass_flowers.html