In the 1930s, in the side yard of what is now the Orchard Hills Clubhouse in Cabell County, West Virginia, starting with an American crow or European starling, Bob Estler took up the new hobby of taxidermy. “Ever since the age of 12, I’ve known in my heart that I wanted to do taxidermy work,” said Mr. Estler. Encouraged by his father and mother, he pursued this craft and became an outstanding taxidermist, who has today created over 400 specimens of wildlife species from around the world. The specimens range in size from a tiny hummingbird to full size mounts of deer and wolves.
Mr. Estler is a remnant of the few, true naturalists left in North America. His life spent studying nature, both abroad and in his own backyard, has led to a wealth of stories behind his specimens. There is an albatross that was lassoed from onboard the Chatham Sea Lion by “gunner” Bob Estler in the South Seas, off the coast of Australia in August of 1944. As if preserved in time, the albatross still soars on outspread wings. There is also a Wild turkey that jumped on hunter Bob, in the spring of 1994 in his own woods. The rare, extinct Passenger Pigeon egg, that still looks as if freshly plucked from the nest and has stood the test of time. The songbirds (his favorite) that are 60 years old, pose in their natural posture. The stories, the specimens, the collection…of a lifetime in the hands of West Virginia University!
Bob Estler is no miracle worker, but for 75 years he’s been bringing dead animals back to life. Most of the specimens that are a part of the West Virginia Natural History museum were donated by Bob and Mary Lou Estler of Barboursville, WV. The couple donated the collection of specimens that took, them over 70 years to amass for the benefit of West Virginia. Their dream is to one day see these animals come to life again in their natural surroundings for all to see and learn from; hence, the creation of this museum.
