Collins-Garner Congo Expedition in the Interests of the Smithsonian Institution (1916-1919)

Sportsman Alfred M. Collins approached the Smithsonian Institution to request the services of a zoological collector for his planned expedition to the French Congo. The goal of this expedition was to collect vertebrate specimens and obtain a variety of apes. The expedition left New York on December 9, 1916, however, due to the conditions created by the war, they did not arrive in the Congo until March 1917 and were unable to begin collecting until April. Collections made by the expeditions were used for comparison to other specimens collected in other African regions. The expedition collected over 25,000 specimens for the United States National Museum (USNM). Collins and Charles Wellington Furlong, ethnologist and photographer, never joined the expedition due to the world war. The expedition ended in May 1919. Scientists on the expedition included Richard Lynch Garner, zoologist and general manager; and Charles R. W. Aschemeier, USNM, assistant taxidermist. This expedition is also referred to as the Collins-Garner French Congo Expedition.

Smithsonian Institution Archives Field Book Project: CorporateBody : Description : rid_80_eid_EACE0080

Sportsman Alfred M. Collins approached the Smithsonian Institution to request the services of a zoological collector for his planned expedition to the French Congo. The goal of this expedition was to collect vertebrate specimens and obtain a variety of apes. The expedition left New York on December 9, 1916, however, due to the conditions created by the war, they did not arrive in the Congo until March 1917 and were unable to begin collecting until April. Collections made by the expeditions were used for comparison to other specimens collected in other African regions. The expedition collected over 25,000 specimens for the United States National Museum (USNM). Collins and Charles Wellington Furlong, ethnologist and photographer, never joined the expedition due to the world war. The expedition ended in May 1919. Scientists on the expedition included Richard Lynch Garner, zoologist and general manager; and Charles R. W. Aschemeier, USNM, assistant taxidermist.

This expedition is also referred to as the Collins-Garner French Congo Expedition.

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Agency History. Record 292695