% ' : ~~ Summet/ i 4 Fall 2009 THE FIELD MUSEUM’S MEMBER PUBLICATION = =, i> _2 Pad ¥ mir -¢ Dinosaurs 4D! DIVE INTO WATER OUR SUMMER EXHIBITION Your Field Museum membership has become even more valuable in these challenging economic times. With free general admission and free limited tickets to special exhibitions, you save every time you visit. Here are some Steps you can take to make your visit extra special. Review your In The Field magazine: ITF is a great tool for planning your visit and is strictly for you, our member. It keeps you informed of upcoming special exhibitions and programs and features articles on our scientific work. Visit The Field Museum website: At fieldmuseum.org you can learn about many of our exhibitions before you arrive to make your visit even more fulfilling. You can also get updated information through the Museum e-newsletter and our member e-blasts. Send your membership account number and your email address to membership@fieldmuseum.org to receive these emails. Reserve tickets in advance: Popular special exhibitions such as Real Pirates tend to sell out earlier on busy days. Reserve free tickets two to three days in advance by calling 312.665.7705, weekdays 8:30am—4:30pm, or order your tickets online at fieldmuseum.org/membership/tickets.htm. Bring your Member Card and Photo ID: You can check in at the membership desk with a photo ID, but the line moves faster if you have both your ID and member card. If you haven’t received your member card, please contact our office at 312.665.7700. Talk to us! We’re listening. Our members are important to us and we appreciate your comments and support. You can email us at membership@fieldmuseum.org or call us weekdays at 312.655.7700. DIANE ALEXANDER WHITE As always, we thank you for your continued support. Michelle Clayton Director of Membership The belugas are back at Shedd Aquarium! So are the dolphins, sea otters, sea lions of Astronomy and ie 400th, anniversary of ; and penguins! The Oceanarium has been reimagined, with renovated habitats, a beluga encounter pool (through Dec. 31). The exhibition explores how: and a new Polar Play Zone especially for kids. Dining instruments have changed our concepts of the L at Shedd has gone al fresco with the new north patio. Also this summer, join us in celebrating the 40th For more information, visit www.sheddaquarium.com _ of Os Apollo 11 Moon landing. bod more e info or call 312.939.2438. 12 Experience Dinosaurs, Mummies and More in 3D By Emily Waldren, Editor If you’ve ever walked through Evolving Planet and wished you could see dinosaurs in action, or explored Inside Ancient Egypt wondering what more the ancient mummies might tell us, you’re in luck. The Field Museum recently opened the Ernst & Young 3D Theater, located on the Museum's mezzanine, next to Evolving Planet. Museum Senior Vice President Laura Sadler explains, “The Museum has had many requests through the years to add a theater. Now that the theater has opened, visitors are seeing Museum exhibitions in a whole new light.” This isn’t your 1950s sci-fi 3D either— gone are the blue and red glasses and fuzzy pictures. Instead, you'll find a state-ofthe-art, digital 3D theater, complete with a surround-sound system. Using the latest technology, the theater will bring some of the Museum’s favorite exhibitions to life. The movie theater will run multiple films throughout the year. Currently thrilling all dinosaur fans is Dinosaurs Alive! 3D. Equipped with 3D glasses and a sense of adventure, audiences follow paleontologists as they explore some of the greatest dinosaur finds in history. Through the magic of computer animation, audiences will meet and learn about Tarbosaurus (a close relative to T: rex), Velociraptor, Protoceratops, and more. The film reveals how paleontologists search for, discover, and study fossils. And if you like all things Egyptian, then you definitely don’t want to miss Egypt 3D: Secrets of the Mummies (premiering in Nov.). Travel back in time, and discover why mummification was so important to ancient Egyptians. Learn about the incredible late 19th century discovery of 40 royal mummies in a single tomb— among them, three of the greatest pharaohs including Ramses the Great. Tickets to the Museum’s 3D movies are $5 for all ages. Purchase your tickets when checking in to the Membership desk. ITF Dinosaurs and mumuinies are coming alive in the Museum's new 3D theater. Dive into Earth’s ost Precious Resource See Water at The Field Museum Through September 20 By Orly Telisman, Manager of Media Relation [ t on Earth is fre \d | Th e € you tut on the Taucet magine all the species, mammoth and microscopic, that this ins. Water is life-giving, yet finite. In some parts of the This summer The Field Museum presents Water—a timely, in-depth, thought-provoking experience for the whole family. The exhibition focuses on how we use water, as well as the future of this natural resource. Though water is essential to life on Earth, it can also cause hardships. Whether living on a lake that floods annually, or walking for miles to access clean water, different cultures have adapted to a variety of water-related challenges. Water explores the many ways water shapes life on Earth, making our planet livable. Water incorporates numerous hands-on interactive experiences, including a simulation of a river dam, immersive dioramas, and a seven-foot globe featuring a multimedia presentation. Visitors will also be able to demon- strate what a lot (or a little) rain can do to a landscape. Using a computer mouse and LCD screens, Museum members will be able to “create” their own rain on Mount Rainier, and watch the water drain from the area. The Field Museum hopes visitors will become inspired by conservation efforts from around the world and discover what they can do to protect and conserve our planet’s water. Giving Water a Local Touch The exhibition features unique elements, focusing visitors’ attention on extensive information about our area's largest source of fresh water: Lake Michigan. The Museum’s Conservation Director Laurel Ross says, “Because the Chicago region is so close to Lake Michigan, some might think water conservation is someone else’s issue. It is not. Water visitors will leave with an understanding of why water conservation is critical to the survival of all life on our planet.” Chicago is home to the world’s largest conventional water purification and treatment plants. Visitors will get to see an exclusive video illustrating the daily purification and treatment processes: in other words, what happens before the faucet and after the flush. The process for Chicago’s water begins two miles off the Lake Michigan shoreline at water intake cribs—the entry point for a giant tunnel that conveys water to the purification plant—and ends on the southwest side where millions of gallons of wastewater are treated and returned to the water cycle. “This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the critical role water plays in our lives” says Philip Willink, PhD, assistant collections manager of fishes at The Field Museum. “It is necessary to understand how humans interact with water if we are to appreciate and effectively manage this precious resource.” ITF Water is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, and the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, in collaboration with The Field Museum, Chicago; Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland; Instituto Sangari, Sao Paulo, Brazil; National Museum of Australia, Canberra; Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada; San Diego Natural History Museum; and Science Centre Singapore with PUB Singapore. Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Underwriters Laboratories. Generous support provided by Wege Foundation, Joyce Foundation, Chicago Department of Water Management, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Oberweiler Foundation, and Philip Enquist and Joanna Karatzas. See frozen tundras, wet marshlands, and dry deserts and discover the importance of our planet’s most simple and crucial natural resource in Water. SPECIAL TOUR OPPORTUNITY! IN CONJUNCTION WITH WATER, THE FIELD MUSEUM IS OFFERING A SPECIAL TOUR OF ONE OF CHICAGO’S WATER INTAKE CRIBS ON SATURDAY, JULY 11. FOLLOWING THE TOUR, VISITORS WILL HOP ON A WATER TAXI AND GO BEHIND-THE-SCENES AT THE MUSEUM TO TALK TO SCIENTISTS ABOUT ALL THINGS RELATED TO WATER AND FISH. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED—CALL 312.665.7400. WATER: Amazing Facts and Water-Saving Tips FACT: The average person living in the United States uses over 100 gallons of water per day. TIP: Make sure you have a water meter installed (homes with meters average 15 percent less water use). FACT: Bottled water can be 1,000 times more expensive than tap water and requires additional water to package and transport. TIP: Drink tap water instead of bottled and reduce the drain on regional aquifers from bottled water companies. FACT: The average American toilet uses five gallons with each flush. TIP: Install a new dual-flush toilet or put a brick in the tank of your old one to reduce the amount of water used. FACT: The average person living in poverty in Africa uses less than three gallons per day, the same amount used while brushing your teeth. TIP: Turn off the faucet while brushing. Never let the tap run unnecessarily. FACT: It takes almost 2,000 gallons of water to produce a pair of jeans and 400 gallons to make a new shirt. TIP: Take care of your clothes; think carefully before buying new ones. FACT: The average roof collects 625 gallons of water during a rainstorm that drops one inch of water. TIP: Capture water with a rain barrel and use to water plants and gardens. FACT: It takes about 70 gallons of water to produce one gallon of gas. TIP: Carpool, use public transit, and walk or bike whenever possible. FACT: Depending on your shower, up to 15 gallons of water can be wasted while waiting for the shower water to warm up. TIP: Install a low-flow shower head and keep your water heater in good working condition. SUMMER/FALL 2009 « JULY-OCTOE N THE FIELD INTERVIEW Witnessing Change Explore the Civil Rights Movement in Road to Freedom A Conversation with Hilary Hansen By Emily Waldren, Editor Images from the 1960s civil rights movement have become part of our national identity. Photographs taken during this tumultuous time helped bring the movement to the forefront of Americans’ minds. A new exhibition, Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement 1956-1968 (through Sept. 7), showcases some of these iconic images. The exhibition features over 150 black and white photographs taken by artists, photojournalists, and amateurs alike. Featuring some of the great leaders of the Civil Rights movement, the photographs also depict the multitude of activists and students who took to the streets in the pursuit of freedom and equality during the 1950s and 60s. ITF recently spoke with project manager Hilary Hansen to learn more about this moving exhibition. ITF: Why is it important that this exhibition be shown at The Field Museum? Hansen: Museum anthropologists actively study cultures from around the world, traveling to places like Papua New Guinea, China, and Mexico. Through excavations and research, they learn about the ways societies have changed over time. But major social changes are not confined to the distant past or ancient cultures. The photographs in Road to Freedom document one of the most important social movements of our time: the fight for racial equality. ITF: The exhibition features photographs taken by professional photographers as well as images from amateurs. What do you think that adds to the exhibition? Hansen: Most visitors will not be able to tell the difference between the photos taken by professionals and those taken by amateurs. Both are raw and powerful. But I think the amateur photos round out the display beautifully. They provide multiple perspectives of an event and offer a more complete understanding of what was going on at the time. Hilary Hansen, Project Manager © BUILDER LEVY © MORTON BROFFMAN © BILL EPPRIDGE ‘I’m blown away by the unwavering courage I see in the faces of the activists.’ ITF: As someone who did not live through this time period, but studied it in school, how has the exhibition taught you or opened your eyes? Hansen: Most of all, I'm blown away by the unwavering courage I see in the faces of the activists. They are determined to do what is necessary and what’s right. I’m also shocked and embarrassed by the hatred I see in the faces of the supporters of segregation. ITF: What images in the exhibition stand out and move you the most? Hansen: One of the images that made me pause is the photo of Ben Chaney, who was about 10 years old at the time the photo was taken (left, bottom). He is sitting in the family car with his mom, dad, and siblings, on the way to the funeral of his big brother James. James Chaney was one of three students killed in Mississippi during Freedom Summer by the Ku Klux Klan in 1964. The look in Ben’s eyes in heart-wrenching. He looks sad, no doubt, but he has an air of dignity and resolve about him. ITF: What do you hope Museum visitors will take away having seen Road to Freedom? Hansen: I think visitors will leave having a more complete understanding of the breadth and depth of the Civil Rights Movement. Most of the move- ment’s leaders are well known today, but Martin Luther King, Jr. could not do it alone. He relied on the thousands of foot-soldiers— volunteers, students, and community organizers—to keep the movement alive. You'll see many of those people in the exhibition, and learn their stories. ITF Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement 1956-1968 is organized by the High Museum of Art, Atlanta. This exhibition is supported by the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art. Thanks to the generous support of the Chicago Urban League. Presenting Sponsor: Target Executive Sponsors: BP and Boeing SUMMER/FALL 2009 « JULY~( F SPECIAL INTEREST Roam The Field Museum at Night and Doze with the Dinos! By Krystal Villanosa, Communications and Funding Administrator Imagine roaming The Field Museum at night! The lights dim as you explore the rituals of ancient Egyptian culture, guided by the light of your flashlight. Next, you prowl an African savannah with giraffes, hippos, and man-eating lions. Before you know it, you're in the palace in Bamum, Africa, rubbing elbows with royalty. By the end of the night, you are too tired to skin the fish that you and your Inuit friend have caught for breakfast. Bring your sleeping bag and explore one of the most exciting spots in town! Bring your sleeping bag and explore one of the most exciting spots in town! Dozin’ with the Dinos is a unique opportunity for families with children ages 6—12 to spend the night at The Field Museum. Begin your evening with activities based upon a Field Museum exhibition. Afterwards, watch a performance, munch on a snack, and explore the Museum’s won- drous exhibitions, including Inside Ancient Egypt, by flashlight. You'll end the night by spreading your sleeping bag in some of our most popular exhibitions. Now there are two new ways that you can experience Dozin’ with the Dinos. Sign up for Premium Package 1, which includes all the fun of a regular overnight with sleeping spots in our Evolving Planet exhibition! You can also sign up for Premium Package 2, which includes all the fun of a regular overnight, sleeping spots in Evolving Planet, and a behind-the- scenes tour with a Field Museum scientist! Overnights are on Fridays from 5:45pm through 9am the following morning. Remaining dates in 2009 are as follows: June 26, Aug. 14, Noy. 20 and 27. Note that space is very limited for our Premium Packages, but Members now get first dibs on 2010 dates! See the program calendar for dates and information. ITF Overnight Prices* Standard Overnight $50 Premium Package 1 $62 Premium Package 2 $75 *Prices listed are per person and reflect Member discount Field memberships make great gifts! Call 312.665.7700 - M-F 8:30am-4:30pm Visit fieldmuseum.org/membership pM oe. PROGRAM TICKETS & INFO > JULY-OCTOBER — J useum Ba Crown Family PlayLab Rediscover the Crown Family PlayLab this summer! You and your little explorer can play ina dinosaur nest, dance to rhythms from different cultures, dress up as Illinois Woodland creatures, and more! With an endless variety of activities, the Crown Family PlayLab offers new adventures every time you visit. Below are some of the programs you and your young adventurer can enjoy in the Crown Family PlayLab but make sure to look inside to see them all! AT THE ART STUDIO* Family Program Splish Splash Save! Water play in the summer is a lot of fun! Come learn some creative ways to conserve water on a warm sunny day as you and your family create art based on water themes. DAILY IN JULY, 10am-2pm KRAFT STORY TIME* Family Program Take a seat in the Crown Family PlayLab to hear a story and make an art project to take home—all in 20 minutes! DAILY IN JULY, 11:30am & 1:30pm FAMILY FIELD DAY* Take part in fun and free art and science activities in Family Program the Crown Family PlayLab and in the rest of the Museum. Be an explorer, scientist, artist and much more! AUGUST 15, llam-2pm The Crown Family PlayLab is generously sponsored by the Crown family. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FIELD MUSEUM GENERAL MUSEUM INFO > AT THE ART STUDIO* Family Program Splish Splash Save! Water play in the summer is a lot of fun! Come learn some creative ways to conserve water on a warm sunny day as you and your little explorer create art based on water themes. DAILY IN JULY, 10am-2pm KRAFT STORY TIME* Family Program Take a seat in the Crown Family PlayLab to hear a story and make an art project to take home—all in 20 minutes! DAILY IN JULY, 11:30am & 1:30pm USDA SCIENTIST AT THE FIELD Demonstration Visit Underground Adventure, meet a scientist, and get a chance to see and feel different types of soil! EVERY THURSDAY IN JULY, llam-2pm Free with admission to Underground Adventure. BEHIND THE SCENES OF JARDINE WATER PURIFICATION PLANT & THE FIELD MUSEUM Behind-the-Scenes Tour See the inner workings of Chicago's Jardine Water Plant—the world’s largest water filtration plant—and find out how Lake Michigan water is purified before it comes out of your faucet. Following the tour, < hop on a water taxi and go behind the scenes 3 at The Field Museum to talk to scientists about all things related to water and fishes. Ages 12 and up. JULY 11, llam-2pm + FREE FIELD ML THE Pre-registration required. FAMILY FIELD DAY* Family Program Take part in fun and free art and science activities in the Crown Family PlayLab and in the rest of the Museum. Be an explorer, scientist, artist and much more! JULY 18, llam-2pm *FREE WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION _ fieldmuseum.org NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AT THE ART STUDIO* Family Program Splish Splash Save! Water play in the summer is a lot of fun! Come learn some creative ways to conserve water on a warm sunny day as you and your little explorer create art based on water themes. DAILY IN AUGUST, 10am-2pm KRAFT STORY TIME* Family Program Take a seat in the Crown Family PlayLab to hear a story and make an art project to take home—all in 20 minutes! DAILY IN AUGUST, 11:30am & 1:30pm USDA SCIENTIST AT THE FIELD Demonstration Visit Underground Adventure, meet a scientist, and get a chance to see and feel different types of soil. EVERY THURSDAY IN AUGUST, llam-2pm Free with admission to Underground Adventure. WATER WAYS TOUR with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Boat Tour Go ona boat tour of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan and learn the history of Chicago’s water ways from the experts. Discover how the city of Chicago’s landscapes have been affected by its relationship with the water. For ages 14 and up. AUGUST 8, 9am » $20 per person Pre-registration required. FAMILY FIELD DAY®* Family Program Take part in fun and free art and science activities in the Crown Family PlayLab and in the rest of the Museum. Be an explorer, scientist, artist and much more! AUGUST 15, llam-2pm FOSSIL HUNT AT MAZON CREEK Family Field Trip Do you like to hunt fossils? Come with us to the world-famous Mazon Creek site, and discover what Illinois was like more than 300 million years ago! For families with children ages 8-17. Plan on a one-quarter mile walk to fossil locations. AUGUST 22, 8am-3pm + $40, $28 members Pre-registration required. *FREE WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION _ fieldmuseum.org The National Geographic Live! Speaker Series features captivating stories from the frontlines of exploration, delivered by today’s top explorers, scientists, photographers and adventurers. The speakers illustrate their stories with award-winning photography and video and each evening concludes with a lively question and answer session with the audience. september october AT THE ART STUDIO* Family Program Splish Splash Save! Water play in the summer is a lot of fun! Come learn some creative ways to conserve water on awarm sunny day as you and your little explorer create art based on water themes. DAILY IN SEPTEMBER, 10am-2pm USDA SCIENTIST AT THE FIELD Demonstration Visit Underground Adventure, meet a scientist, and get a chance to see and feel different types of soil! SEPTEMBER 10, llam-2pm Free with admission to Underground Adventure. STICKNEY WATER RECLAMATION PLANT TOUR with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Behind-the-Scenes Tour Go behind-the-scenes of one of the largest wastewater treatment facilities in the world! You'll get to see the first pumping station built in 1930 and also take a tour of the new state-of-the-art facility built in 2007. Find out how this plant serves 2.38 million people over a 260-square mile area each and every day! For ages 14 and up. SEPTEMBER 12, 10am + $10 Pre-registration required. FAMILY FIELD DAY* Family Program Take part in fun and free art and science activities in the Crown Family PlayLab and in the rest of the Museum. Be a explorer, scientist, artist and much more! SEPTEMBER 19, llam-—2pm FOSSIL HUNT AT MAZON CREEK Family Field Trip Do you like to hunt fossils? Come with us to the world-famous Mazon Creek site, and discover what Illinois was like more than 300 THE FIELD MUSEUM million years ago! For families with children ages 8-17. Plan on a one-quarter mile walk to fossil locations. SEPTEMBER 26, 8am-3pm + $40, $28 members Pre-registration required. *FREE WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION _ fieldmuseum.org Mark your calendars! The season kicks off TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13 with leading undersea explorer, Barry Clifford. Clifford will share details of his 1984 discovery of the pirate shipwreck Whydah, wrecked in a storm Museum through October 25. KRAFT STORY TIME* Family Program Take a seat in the Crown Family PlayLab to hear a story and make an art project to take home—all in 20 minutes! SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS IN OCTOBER 11:30am & 1:30pm FAMILY FIELD DAY* Family Program Take part in fun and free art and science activities in the Crown Family PlayLab and in the rest of the Museum. Be an explorer, scientist, artist and much more! OCTOBER 17, llam-2pm *FREE WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION _ fieldmuseum.org off Cape Cod in 1717. Experience the companion exhibit Real Pirates at The Field Visit www.nglive.org/chicago in August for the full series line-up and dates. Water programs are made possible with funding from the City of Chicago’s Department of Water Management and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Sa NEW! Early bird registration for Field Museum members for the 2010 season of Dozin’ with the Dinos begins July 15 and ends July 31. Sign up early and get first dibs on dates and premium packages. Don’t forget to have your membership card available when you call 312.665.7400 to purchase your tickets. Please note that online registration is not available during this time. Tickets for the 2010 overnight season will go on sale to the general public on August 1. will take place on the following Fridays: JANUARY8 JANUARY15 FEBRUARY5 FEBRUARY 12 MARCH5 MARCH 26 APRIL9 MAY7 MAY 14 JUNE11 JUNE18 AUGUST6 OCTOBERS8 explore our exhibitions Rediscover your favorites! CROWN FAMILY PLAYLAB PERMANENT EXHIBITION Little explorers have their own place in a big museum! The Crown Family PlayLab is generously sponsored by the Crown family. DANIEL F. AND ADA L. RICE DNA DISCOVERY CENTER PERMANENT EXHIBITION Discover what DNA is, how it works and what it can tell us about ourselves and other living things. This exhibition is generously supported by the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation. We gratefully acknowledge The Pritzker Foundation’s generous support of the Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Evolution. We express our appreciation to Misty and Lewis Gruber for establishing an endowment in support of research in the Pritzker Laboratory. EVOLVING PLANET PERMANENT EXHIBITION Go on an awe-inspiring journey through 4 billion years of life on Earth, from single-celled organisms to towering dinosaurs and our extended human family. Unique fossils, animated —— — 2 videos, hands-on interactive displays, and recreated sea- and landscapes help tell the compelling story of evolution — the single process that connects everything that’s ever lived on Earth. Evolving Planet is made possible by Kenneth and Anne Griffin. The Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust is the generous sponsor of Evolving Planet’s Genius Hall of Dinosaurs. THE ANCIENT AMERICAS PERMANENT EXHIBITION Step into the windswept world of Ice Age mammoth hunters. Walk through a replica of an 800-year-old pueblo dwelling and imagine your entire family cooking, eating, and sleeping in one small room. Explore the Aztec empire and its island capital, Tenochtitlan, a city of more than 200,000 people and an extraordinary THE ANCIENT feat of engineering for any era. AM ERI CAS The Ancient Americas is made possible by the McCormick Foundation, GRAINGER HALL OF GEMS PERMANENT EXHIBITION! OPENS OCTOBER 23, 2009 Marvel in the beauty and splendor of gemstones in The Field Museum’‘s newly renovated Grainger Hall of Gems. The Grainger Hall of Gems is generously sponsored by The Grainger Foundation See these before they go! “Ue REAL PIRATES: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WHYDAH FROM SLAVE SHIP TO PIRATE : THROUGH OCTOBER 25, 2009 —_ gold and jewelry, as you set sail on the Whydah w pirate Sam Bellamy and his crew in Real Pirates. An Exhibition from National Geographic. iy Organized by Arts and Exhibitions International. ROAD TO FREEDOM: PHOTOGRA s THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT 1956 JUNE 5- SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that ag Thanks to the generous support of the Chicago Urban League. Presenting Sponsor: Target. Executive Sponsors: BP and The Boeing Company. WATER THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20, 2009 Wonder over water as you immerse yourself in one of the most fascinating yet overlooked substances in the universe. Water is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, and the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, in collaboration with The Field Museum, Chicago; Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland; Instituto Sangari, Sao Paulo, Brazil; National Museum of Australia, Canberra; Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada; San Diego Natural History Museum; and Singapore Science Centre with PUB Singapore. Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Underwriters Laboratories. Generous support provided by Wege Foundation, Joyce Foundation, Chicago Department of Water Management, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Oberweiler Foundation, and Philip Enquist and Joanna Karatzas. BUNCE ISLAND: A BRITISH SLAVE CASTLE IN SIERRA LEONE JULY 29, 2009- FEBRUARY 28, 2010 Discover the inner workings of the Bunce Island “slave castle” from the days of the transatlantic slave trade, and learn how some African-Americans today are tracing their ancestry back to this site. This exhibition was curated by Joseph A. Opala, James Madison University. Marae Gallery sponsored by Baker & McKenzie. Presentation of this exhibition at The Field Museum is made possible by curator Joseph A. Opala and Accenture. Hardly relying on any water at all, lichens can grow in the desert on a number of surfaces such as rocks and cacti. IMAGES COURTESY THORSTEN LUMBSCH Not a Drop to Drink SCIENTIST’S PICK How Plants Survive Waterless Conditions by Sticking Together However, there is a group of lower plants — actually fungi—that is very tolerant to dehydra- tion. Although lacking the water reservoirs that cacti have, the fungus is able to survive in the driest deserts of the world. These organisms are a= called lichens, which are oe actually a combination of a fungal partner and their algal counterpart. Separate, fungi and algae are very sensitive to lack of water, but once these two join forces as lichen, they become tough and are able to survive in all habitats from the tropics to Antarctica, from the seashore to the mountain tops, and from the rainfor- ests to the deserts. In fact, lichens are even able to use the water found in fog, a feat impossible for flowering plants. This explains why the dry deserts along the coast of western South America and Namibia, in southern Africa have a rich lichen flora, with large amounts of lichens growing on cacti. The rocks in the deserts of the Southwest have different yellow, green or reddish colors due to the lichens growing on them. Lichens are able to survive in harsh conditions because they stay dormant most of the day and are only active during a short period (sometimes less than an hour) in the morning. Once in full sunshine, the lichens start their “siesta” until the next day. This relaxed life results in low growth rate of lichens in deserts. However without competition from better adapted organisms, they not only survive, but are the most successful plant-like organisms in desert ecosystems. If you've forgotten to water your houseplants before leaving on vacation, you know what happens when plants lose their water supply. Since plants are immobile, they can’t find their own source of water. Totally dependent on their habitat, the only way plants can survive dry periods is by collecting water in storage systems, such as the thick stems of cacti. Recent studies using DNA sequences by Field Museum scientists in cooperation with colleagues from Madrid and Chicago’s Morton Arboretum showed that desert lichens grow slower, but also have a slower ticking molecular clock. That means that lichens in the wet tropics evolve at a faster rate than their desert counter- parts. This discovery shows that water has an effect on life all the way down to the molecular level. However, this effect isn’t as apparent to the naked eye as when you come home from a weekend trip and see your orchid dry and withering, thirsty for a drink of water! ITF ‘Lichens are able to survive in all habitats from the tropics to Antarctica...’ Thorsten Lumbsch, PhD, botany associate curator and chair contributed this Scientist's Pick. If you'd like to learn more about GN90965 05D/JOHN WEINSTEIN plants and animals that have adapted to survive in extreme conditions, visit the new, temporary exhibition Water and the Museum’s permanent Plants of the World. SUMMER/FALL 2009 « JULY-O BER BEHIND THE SCENES Out with the Old and In with the New Behind-the-Scenes Exhibition Magic By Hilary Hansen, Project Manager, Exhibitions Department Exactly 105 hours. That’s all the time Daniel Breems, Field Museum production supervisor, had to disassemble The Aztec World after it closed in April and prepare 10,000 square feet of space for the next exhibition: Water. Breems and the team carefully remove the Eagle Warrior before crating and sending him back to his home in Mexico. To the world outside the Museum, moving exhibitions in a short amount of time might seem like a nearly impossible feat. Breems and his crew removed 300 objects from their display cases, performed a careful inspection of each and then packed the priceless cargo into custom-made crates. They took down, rolled up, and stored 50 fabric walls from inside The Aztec World and removed a 600-pound mural from over the exhibition doors. Breems helped manage nearly 10 couriers from lenders in the United States and Mexico. He supervised the use of special equipment to lift stone artifacts weighing several tons without exceeding the weight capacity for Museum floors or damaging the carpet. These tasks are just part of the process known as exhibition deinstallation. How can so much be accomplished in so little time? Smart exhibition design gets you part of the way there. “Fabric walls instead of conven- tional drywall made teardown a lot faster” says Breems. “Drywall is messy and time consuming. Fabric walls, on the other hand, are hung from cables fastened to the ceiling. We just pulled them down and rolled them up.” ‘To the world outside the Museum, moving exhibitions in a short amount of time might seem like a nearly impossible feat.’ But it’s the hours of preparation and meticulous coordination that make the difference between a fast-paced deinstallation and a frantic one. With the Water installation team ready and Waiting to get into the former Aztec World exhibition space, time was of the essence for Breems. Months before deinstallation, he had already identified how many people would work with him, what equipment would be needed to move artifacts such as a three-ton stone snake, and the best time to move crates during public hours. Breems also worked closely with Water production supervisor Susan Phillips to identify any Opportunities for cost or time savings. Breems can only do so much planning though. “One of the hardest parts is scheduling and trying to anticipate every complication. Problems always come up, and you have to react quickly,” he explains. Complications and set-backs are expected when getting an exhibition packed up and out the door. But those moments don’t take away from the joy of a job well done for Breems and his crew. His favorite part about an exhibition deinstallation? Watching a crate of artifacts getting sealed shut. “Then I can relax, knowing I did my part well, and they are headed home,” Breems Says. ITF MARK WIDHALM/ GN89201_10( JOHN WEINSTEIN/ 294274C COURTESY OF MEAGAN EVANOFF ONCE YOU'VE EXPLORED UNDERGROUND ADVENTURE, VISIT FIELDMUSEUM.ORG/UNDERGROUNDADVENTURE TO DOWNLOAD A FIELD GUIDE THAT YOUR FAMILY CAN USE TO HELP IDENTIFY CRITTERS TYPICAL TO CHICAGOLAND SOIL. OF SPECIAL INTEREST Come Face to Face with the World Beneath Your Feet By Michelle Clayton, Director of Membership Now that the Chicago winter is behind us, you've no doubt noticed some changes in your own backyard. As flowers bloom and leaves begin to emerge, there is also a bustle of activity beneath your feet. Did you know that if you took one teaspoonful of soil from your own backyard, you would find more than a billion organisms in it? Even more amazing—30 to 40 percent of the organisms in that soil are unknown species! It’s hard to imagine the tiny creatures that exist in soil, but in Underground Adventure, you can come face to face with them. One of The Field Museum’s most popular exhibitions, Underground Adventure will “shrink” you to the size of a bug and set you loose on a journey unlike anything you have ever imagined. Among the roots and wormholes, you'll discover a world inhabited by extraordinary plants, fungi, and creatures and learn just how important soil is to our ecosystem. As you travel deeper, investigate root tips, track the burrowing patterns of moles, hear the lonesome clawing of a mole cricket, watch a wolf spider twice your size devour a beetle grub, and witness a female earwig fiercely guarding her brood. You will emerge with a new understanding of your own relationship to soil. You and your family can continue your discoveries by looking in your own backyard for the critters you met in Underground Adventure. 11F Lead Sponsor: Monsanto ‘...1f you took one teaspoonful of soil from your own backyard, you would find more than a billion organisms in it...’ MEAGAN EVANOFF Y OF N OURTE ll LAB NEWS Regenstein Lab Scientists Prepare Artifacts to Travel the World By Emily Waldren, Editor More than 130 artifacts from the Museum’s famed Pacific collection will soon be part of a new exhibition touring at two Mexican museums: the National Museum of Cultures, in Mexico City and then at the Nave Lewis in Monterrey. For the past four months, Field Museum scientists have been hard at work in the Regenstein Laboratory making sure these priceless artifacts are in good condition and able to make the journey from Chicago to Mexico and back again. Getting these artifacts ready for travel and display takes time, careful work, and a lot of patience. Recently, a statue chosen for the upcoming exhibition caused scientists some worry. The statue (left, top), from the Solomon Islands, was most likely used during coming-of-age festivals. The statue’s arms are separate from the rest of its body and when Field Museum scientists first examined them, it appeared that the left arm was loose, and might become detached during travel. In order to learn more, scientists put the statue through an x-ray machine; after scanning, it was revealed that the statue had been fixed before, and actually the arms were very secure. 2 Another item that needed to be examined carefully was a feather = costume (left, bottom), which until recently was on display in the Museum’s -acific Spirits exhibition. The costume is made up of hundreds of feathers all attached to a large fishnet. Each stitch had to be carefully examined and reinforced, if necessary, to make sure that not a single feather would be lost. This was a long process, but vital to preservation of artifacts like this. Conservation work performed in the Regenstein Laboratory is impor- tant for a number of reasons. Regenstein Conservator for Pacific Anthropology J.P. Brown explains, “By collecting these artifacts, the Museum takes on the responsibility to preserve them.” The Museum must ensure that the artifacts are maintained for many years. This helps other museums create new exhibitions using our collections, but more importantly, it ensures that these artifacts will continue to lend themselves to scientific research for years to come. As always, you can see scientists at work by visiting the Regenstein Laboratory (inside Traveling the Pacific). Be sure to stop by this summer to watch the continued conservation on the Pacific artifacts. Field Museum scientists will continue their work throughout June and July, before sending = these items to their temporary homes in Mexico. ITF ‘By collecting these artifacts, the Museum takes on the responsibility to preserve them.’ 12 OF SPECIAL INTEREST A Festival of Epic Proportions By Stephanie Fitzgerald, Writer Discover feats of artistry and spiritual transformation in Sacred Waters: India’s Great Kumbha Mela Pilgrimage (through July 19) in the Museum’s Marae Gallery on the upper level. Through the lens of photojournalist Jean-Marc Giboux, gaze into the lives of ash-covered holy men, masters of tantric yoga, and everyday people as they celebrate at the Kumbha Mela festival, a Hindu pilgrimage in India and the largest human gathering on Earth. The tradition of Kumbha Mela is rooted in the Hindu belief that gods and demons once clashed over a pot (kumbha) that contained the nectar of immortality. During this battle, drops of the nectar fell down to Earth in four locations, which became sanctified as the sites of the pilgrimage. Consequently, it is thought that, at certain times in a twelve-year cycle, rivers passing through these locations change into the nectar of the gods, and the river-banks transform into sites of ceremony and prayer. Over 40 vibrant photographs capture the magnificence of the Kumbha Mela festival and provide a glimpse into the diversity of India. Witness these fleeting, joyful gatherings, and discover their dazzling processions, theatrical performances, and the athletic and devotional practices of holy men. Then, proceed with the pilgrims to the culmination of their journey—a bath in divine nectar. Sacred Waters is an inspirational look at the lives of millions of pilgrims who seek to come into direct contact with the divine. ITF This exhibition is organized by Jean-Marc Giboux and The Field Museum. Sponsored by Baker & McKenzie ALL IMAGES © JEAN-MARC GIBOUX ‘Over 40 vibrant photographs capture the magnificence of the Kumbha Mela festival and provide a glimpse into the diversity of India.’ SUMMER/FALL 2009 « JULY-OCTOBER MUSEUM NEWS Be sure to save the date for the Members’ viewing of The Nature of Diamonds on Monday, Oct. 26, 3-10pm. Look for more information on this exciting exhibition in the next issue of ITF. The 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond, one of the world’s largest and finest fancy yellow diamonds is showcased in this well known setting designed by legendary jeweler Jean Schlumberger. The accompanying bird, is designed with white and yellow diamonds, ruby, gold, and platinum. Did you know? When Sue first arrived at the Museum, she weighed five tons (10,000 pounds!). Most of that was dirt and rock, known as the matrix. After being cleaned by our geology staff, she now weighs just over 4,100 pounds. always be discovering. The ield iseum TIFFANY & Corporate Corner Corporate Membership Companies who join the Museum’s Corporate Relations Program receive free general admission for all of their employees, significant discounts to host a private event or meeting, customized tours for clients or executives, and more. Contributions provide critical operating support for the Museum. To join, please contact Kenda Hallman at 312.665.7668. Education Programs Corporate contributions to the Museum’s Education Programs enable over 250,000 school children to learn about natural history and science through field trips and special projects each year. Partners such as the Motorola Foundation and JP Morgan Chase & Co. help bring science to life for students and teachers by supporting our education initiatives. To learn more about supporting the Museum’s Education Programs, please contact Cate Huetter at 312.665.7780. Founders’ Council and Annual Fund Update and Special Events The Field Museum has many wonderful exhibitions in the months to come that you won't want to miss! Need activities for your out-of-town guests? Come to The Field to see Water, and other exciting exhibitions such as Real Pirates, Evolving Planet, Ancient Americas and the DNA Discovery Center. We hope to see you often and are here to help you plan your visit. Thank you to all of our Annual Fund, Founders’ Council and Chairman’s Circle members for your involvement and dedication to The Field Museum. The research, education programming and conservation efforts of The Field Museum are more important than ever, and your support makes it possible. Remember that each giving level provides many special benefits and unique events with our scientists. For more information or to become a member of The Founders’ Council or the Annual Fund, please call Sara Murphy at 312.665.7801 or email annualfund@fieldmuseum.org. JUNE 29 Annual Fund Donor Appreciation Night SEPTEMBER 23 Founders’ Council Founders’ Frontiers OCTOBER 8 & NOVEMBER 12 Annual Fund Behind-the-Scenes Tours OCTOBER 22 Founders’ Council Preview of The Nature of Diamonds exhibition (opens to the public Oct. 23) Time to renew your membership? Call 312.665.7700 - M-F 8:30am—4:30pm Visit fieldmuseum.org/membership just for kids! John King: The Boy Pirate In Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship, visitors will learn about Sam Bellamy, a famous pirate from a period we call “The Golden Age of Piracy.” Bellamy was a pirate captain for less than a year, but he and his crew captured more than 50 ships in that short amount of time! In November of 1716, Bellamy and his crew attacked and looted a ship called the Bonetta. One of the Bonetta’s passengers was John King, a young boy traveling with his mother. John was fascinated by the pirates and became determined to join them. Leaving his mother behind, John joined Bellamy and his crew. John King was probably only about 10 years old at the time he became a pirate! John sailed with Bellamy for the next six months and was on board the Whydah when it sank off the coast of Massachusetts on April 26, 1717. Visitors to Real Pirates can see John’s silk stocking and shoe, which were ARTIST RENDERINGS BY GREGORY MANCHESS © ARTS AND EXHIBITIONS INTERNATIONAL found at the wreck site of the Whydah. 11F s€ar h t The Field M rtreasure™ "= You may not be able to sail the seas like John King, but the Museum is filled with hidden “gold.” Cut this page out and take it with you the next time you and your family visit, and go on your own treasure hunt! Working from the ground level up, see if you can find: e@ An Indian elephant mask in the Crown Family PlayLab @ A gold beetle in The Insect World cases on the Ground Floor @ A huge brass snake from Bamum in Africa & An American goldfinch in Nature Walk (HINT: Look in the North American Birds section.) e Tumbaga disks from the Quimbuya people in Ancient Americas (HINT: Look for the ‘Powerful Leaders” section.) & Matching mother-and-daughter gold shoes on the ‘‘shoe wall’’ & A gold Italian necklace with three large medallions in the Grainger Gallery on the Museum’s mezzanine level . NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION useum PAID 1400 South Lake Shore Drive OAK BROOK, JL PERMIT NO. 100 A ~~ The more things change, the more they stay the same Water Store Has Gifts to Keep You and the Earth Healthy it WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IN THE FIELD?