Carnegie Museum of Natural History Diplodocus Collection

Diplodocus carnegii, better known as “Dippy,” is a beloved symbol in Pittsburgh. A life-size statue of the extinct dinosaur sits outside the Carnegie Museum of Natural History to greet guests, while a reconstruction of its skeleton sits inside the museum. 

The dinosaur itself was discovered in 1898 by William Harlow Reed while on a dig in Wyoming. Reed excavated the rest of the dinosaur on a later dig sponsored by Andrew Carnegie. The skeleton was brought back to Pittsburgh, where it was cast. Copies of the cast were donated to museums around the world, while the original “Dippy” (actually a composite skeleton) remained on display in Pittsburgh. 

Because of the wide distribution of casts, “Dippy” became one of, if not the most, familiar dinosaurs in the world and the first dinosaur seen by many. 

The collection is divided into two series: Discovery of Diplodocus carnegii and Reproductions of Diplodocus carnegii. 

Discovery of  Diplodocus carnegii

The Discovery of Diplodocus carnegii series includes correspondence, mining claims, maps, and diagrams related to the discovery of the dinosaur and the management of the dig site.  

Reproductions of Diplodocus carnegii

The Reproductions of Diplodocus carnegii series includes correspondence, telegrams, and financial documents related to the casting of the skeleton and its donation to various international museums. Much of the correspondence relates to reproductions sent to Germany, Mexico, and Argentina. Because of the international nature of the correspondence, many letters are not in English.