This online exhibition was first published in 2011 by Cornell University Library’s Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections. It accompanied and featured content from the physical exhibition of rare materials displayed in Cornell University’s Carl A. Kroch Library from March 4 to September 30, 2004. Cornell University Library archived the original version of the online exhibition in 2024 to preserve its earlier design. This version maintains access to the original images and text within an updated website.
On March 4, 2011 the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections opened the exhibition, “Animal Legends: From the Trojan Horse to Godzilla.” Drawing on the Library’s collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and other artifacts, “Animal Legends” explores how and why humans choose to elevate certain individual animals or species to the status of divinities, emblems, mascots, heroes, or celebrities.