Butterfly Display

Charles McGlashan Butterfly Collection

Now at the Truckee Community Center

10981 Truckee Way, Truckee, CA 96161

Did you know that there are now approximately 1,200 butterflies displayed in the Truckee Community Center? They include blue, green, neon, bold, and owl looking butterflies. You heard right. There’s a butterfly whose wings look like an owl‘s face. 

Previously located in the Donner Memorial State Park, the display now resides in the Truckee Community Center next to the Butterfly Preschool. How fitting! 

    This specific collection was started by Charles McGlashan in 1871 and has been on display in California for around 80 years. The preservation of these butterflies is amazing to see, as they are in their original casing, which was patented by McGlashan. The Truckee-Donner Parks and Recreation District has taken great pride with this opportunity to display the butterflies for many more years to come.

    The Community Recreation Center is open with the display available for viewing from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. It is a great way for the kids to learn about the imagery that nature produces on an animal, so rarely able to be seen in person. So whether you are young, old, or somewhere in between, take a walk by the display and marvel at the beauty of the butterfly. You can visit http://mgfx.com/butterfly for more information on all things butterfly.

History 

    1871 – research began - The science of entomology

    1872 – Display moved to Truckee - Patented glass cases to preserve collection to this day

    1911 – Ximena and McGlashan began the Butterfly Farm – produced butterflies and moths

    61 years collection was displayed at the Nevada County Courthouse in Nevada City

    1996 Moved to Donner Memorial State Park 

    2015 -  it is now displayed in the Truckee Community Center

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