5 ND ‘OF DPSRBN ‘SIGNI 99P' 0c ZBULYSeM "aS YA0L LuosyaLWS “uo uw o oS 2 o ct @ ms) & je 2d LZsuoD 8 ' /}sur ue o9g0d THE BULLETIN OF THE FIELD MUSEUM 2-8 9 The Women's Board closes out the year with a black- tie benefit and its annual A complete schedule of January/February events, including activities for the 10 Dorothy Roder, former membership manager and head of Field Museum Museum's African Holiday Tea celebration. Tours, retires after 36 Heritage Festival ‘98. years of service. Ek > Paes Se ee = JANUARY*FEBRUARY 1998 Soul Of The Game Page 6 In the exhibit “Soul of the Game,” photogra- pher John Huet profiles legendary street bas- ketball players like Dale Henderson (right) in a collection of 130 photographs. Bringing the exhibit to life are selected sounds of hip-hop poetry and rap. ee a al Battling Infant Mortality Rates In Harlem By Alaka Wali Director of the Center for Cultural Understanding and Change MA atima is an African-American mother of three who works as a social worker in Harlem, N. Y. She is in her early 30s and lives in a middle-class apartment build- — ing with her partner, Abraham, who is also a social worker When Fatima became pregnant the couple turned not to a hospital, but to an independent facility that was one of the first in the country to offer midwifery and natural childbirth methods. Fatima and Abra- ham carefully followed the facility's prenatal- care plan and were rewarded with a healthy baby girl. Soon after the birth, however, the nonprofit agency where Fatima worked lost several city contracts due to budget cutbacks. As a result, the promotion that Fatima had hoped for did not materialize, forcing her to seek more secure employment. This placed her under greater stress as she struggled to care for her children. Rose, 14, is of mixed ethnicity. After becoming pregnant in 1993, she left home because her father did not want her to contin- ue seeing John, the baby's father. Rose lived on the street with John for several months before moving into an apartment belonging to a friend's mother. The couple supported them- selves by selling T-shirts on Harlem’s main boulevard. Rose sought prenatal care at a large public hospital with a special clinic for adolescent girls. She went assiduously to her prenatal visits and took the free vitamins pro- vided by the hospital's pharmacy. Because of chronic shortages in hospital staff and resources, Rose usually had to spend the entire day at the clinic. And because of her poverty, she often did not eat well, relying instead on cheap fast food. Rose and John were evicted from their apartment right before Paul Vosper /GN88422.26C the birth of the baby. After- ward, she moved in temporari- ly with her grandmother who eventually took custody of the child. The experiences of Rose and Fatima |editor’s note: all’ the people's names have been changed to protect their iden- tities], as well as other women who live and work in Harlem's diverse settings, reflect the complicated forces that con- strain and shape patterns of social behavior. | encountered these women during a three- year research project (1993- 1996) designed to explore the social context of the pregnancy experience of Harlem's African- American women. The Centers for Disease Control and Pre- vention (CDC) largely funded the project. Surprisingly, despite the oft-touted high quality of our health-care system, the United States has higher rates of infant mortality than many other wealthy nations. Though U.S. infant mortality rates have been gradually declining, there still remains a significant gap in rates between black women and white women. In fact, African-Americans have persis- tently experienced infant mortality rates that are twice as high as those of the general population. Researchers, having conducted a variety of epidemiological and medical studies, discovered that factors like smoking, sub- stance abuse, low income and educational lev- els did not seem to explain the inequality. Researchers from one study even found that this disparity persisted between black and white college-educated women. The CDC, puz- zled by the researchers’ inability to identify the key factors behind the gap, decided to undertake a broader approach by supporting two anthropological studies — one in Los Angeles and one in New York. Their hope was to identify social and behavioral factors that may have been overlooked by traditional approaches. I was the senior ethnographer on the New York study, working as part of an interdisciplinary team that included anthro- pologists, an epidemiologist, a perinatologist and a community advisory board. Though our research was novel in many respects, we relied heavily on standard anthropological methods that combine quali- tative and quantitative data collection, the hallmark of which is a technique called partici- pant observation. Through participant obser- vation, anthropologists observe and interact with their subjects in the natural settings of their communities. Researchers live with their subjects, experiencing and observing their daily lives and interactions. This technique allows anthropologists to discover the funda- mental patterns of social organization (the institutions, processes and relationships that people create) underlying human behavior. For example, anthropologists have used par- ticipant observation to systematically docu- ment and compare the types of kinship systems people recognize and use, as well to study the nature of political institutions and the symbolic and social aspects of religion. This technique is used not only by social- cultural anthropologists like myself, but by anthropologists in the subdisciplines of archaeology, biological anthropology and socio-cultural linguistics. The use of partici- pant observation is what differentiates anthro- pology from the social sciences that rely more on standardized surveys to collect data. Continued on page 4 Paul Vosper /GN88422.2C Above: This abandoned building on a Harlem thoroughfare symbolizes one of the problems faced by Harlem residents: the neglect of infrastructure in the community. Much of Harlem's residential property is owned by the city and absentee landlords who persistently underfund repairs and maintenance. Lower Left: Women in Harlem continue to maintain strong support networks as a means of finding solutions to their everyday concerns. John Weinstein /GN88119.6 Right: Thousands of par- ents, teachers and stu- dents gathered in Stanley Field Hall on Sept. 20, 1997, for Chicago's Unit- ed Neighborhood Organi- zation's “Family Day.” Building Bridges In Our Community s one of the city's major cultural and educational cen- ters, The Field Muse- um accepts its role as a community leader. This can take the form of developing perma- nent exhibits like Liv- ing Together that serve as catalysts for exploring the conflicts that occur when very different cultures meet. It can also mean providing teachers with the resources they need to develop and update their class cur- riculums. Sometimes it means working with other Chicago educa- tional institutions like the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium to promote the wealth of cultural and artistic treasures that exist in the city. Here in Chicago, The Field Museum and its sister institutions are blessed with a strong philanthropic culture driven by a public and private sector that understands the impor- tance of science, culture and the arts to a healthful and vibrant community. For example, more than one quarter of our annual operating budget comes from one source: the Chicago Park District. We are also fortunate to have a loyal membership whose annual dues and gifts support and expand our growing educa- tional, cultural and scientific programming. Together, these contributions help us maintain an effective community voice. But in a city as large and diverse as Chica- go, our voice could be much louder. Early last year, in exploring new avenues for increasing our leadership role in the com- munity, the Museum created the office of external affairs — a new department headed by Fay Hartog Levin. The goal of this depart- ment is to forge new partnerships with state and city officials, as well as to build new bridges throughout the community. It is also responsible for keeping a watchful eye on pending legislation that might affect the Museum and our community. For the depart- ment and the Museum, 1997 was a tremen- dous success. The department's first objective was to open a dialogue with the Chicago Transporta- tion Authority (CTA). This effort resulted in improved public transportation to the new Museum Campus. It also led to the CTA pro- viding free advertising on its buses, as well as the Museum adopting CTA stations on Roo- sevelt Road and at O'Hare International Air- port. At the beginning of the summer, the external affairs office also secured a $100,000 grant from People's Energy Corporation to operate free natural-gas trolleys between Sol- dier Field parking lots and the three Museum Campus partners. Another important function of the office is to work with other Museum departments and state and federal legislators in seeking new funding opportunities for projects that directly meet the needs of the ; community. These include after-school programs, theater workshops and summer activities for teens. The external affairs office and the educa- tion department recently started work- ing with Chicago's Unit- ed Neighborhood Organization (UNO) to strengthen our visibili- ty and relationship with schools in predomi- nantly Latino communi- eauD soar, Adler Planetarium The Mid-Winter Blues-Buster! (January 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) — It’s snowy. It’s cold. The days are pretty short. Right? Wrong! In the southern hemisphere it’s summer! Celebrate the southern summer season with us and learn more about the southern skies and constellations in special places like Argenti- na, Brazil, Australia, South Africa and every- where that is “upside-down!” telling sessions, see demo tions.a participate in activities that highlight promi- nent and not-so-well-known black scientist tors’: Shedd Aquarium . ties. This collaboration culminated in the Museum hosting UNO's “Family Day” in which more than 6,000 parents, teachers and stu- dents packed Stanley Field Hall for a day of learning, celebration and entertainment. Paul Vallas, chief executive officer of the Chicago Public Schools, attended the event, which focused on ways of increasing parental involvement in education. Collaborations include increasing the Museum's educational outreach programs and organizing cultural events like last October's Celebracién: Living Together in the Americas. Although the external affairs staff is heavi- ly involved in all these activities, they do not work alone. Throughout the Museum, educa- tors, staff members, volunteers and trustees are working together to further strengthen The Field Museum's 105-year-old reputation as a community leader as we prepare for the next century of service. John W. McCarter, Jr. Field Museum President and CEO We would like to know what you think about In the Field... Please send comments or questions to Robert Vosper, Publications Department, The Field Museum, Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605-9410, or via e-mail at The weekend of February 21 — 22, Shedd Aquarium celebrates Black History Month and the accomplishments and traditions of the African-American community by examin- ing the rich natural and cultural history of the Mississippi Delta. Activities and story- telling will introduce visitors to the diverse aquatic life of the region while highlighting the phenomenon of migration — both the dramatic seasonal movements of birds and the historic migration of the African-Ameri- can community from the agricultural Delta to the industrial North and its opportunities. Programs take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. For more information, call 312.939.2438, A Black History Month educa- : s available free of charge by 9°31 2.939.2438, ext. 3410 or 3372. Vol. 69, No. I Editor/Designer: Robert Vosper Production Director: Shi Yung <>. JANUARY: FEBRUARY 1998 The Field Museum Exploring The Earth And Its People In the Field (ISSN #1051-4546) is published bimonthly by The Field Museum, Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL 60605-2496, Copyright © 1998 The Field Museum. Subscriptions $6.00 annually, $3,00 for schools, Museum membership includes Jn the Field subscription, Opinions expressed by authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect policy of The Field Museum. Museum phone 312, 922.9410, Notification of address change should include address label and should be sent to Membership Department, POSTMASTER: Send address changes to /n the Field, The Field Museum, Roosevelt Rd. at Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605-2496, Second class postage paid in Chicago, Illinois, P| JANUARY*FEBRUARY 1998 IN THE FIELD Sue Uncrated — a Special Exhibit new special exhibit, “Sue Uncrated,” is the public's first opportunity to view sev- eral bones from the most complete Tyran- nosaurus rex skeleton ever found. The Museum purchased the fossil, named Sue, on Oct. 4, 1997, at Sotheby’s in New York City with the help of McDonald's Corporation and Walt Dis- ney World Resort. On display until Jan. 11, 1998, “Sue Uncrated” gives visitors an overview of the process of extracting and encasing fossils for storage, shipment and eventual conservation. The exhibit includes a display of several of Sue's bones in various stages of preparation. Highlights of the exhibit include: Sue's fibula and tibia (leg bones) shown par- tially exposed with sections of their plaster jackets removed. The fibula reveals a mass of new bone growth — proof that the bone was ‘Spring 1998 S< The Museum will begin a two-year process of preparing Sue in public inside a state-of the-art fossil prep lab supported by McDonald's. = Ss Museum researchers will begin prepar- ing selected bones from Sue in a prep lab at Disney's new Animal Kingdom theme park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. & McDonald's will work with the Museum to create a three-part educational series for schools that focuses on the scientific infor- mation obtained from the fossil, as well as Sue's discovery and restoration. Sue Arrives In Chicago By Robert Vosper hristmas Day for The Field Museum and the City of Chicago arrived a little earlier this year in the form of an $8.3 million package containing the 300 fossilized bones of Sue, the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skele- ton ever discovered. Sue — housed in 25 wooden crates weighing an estimated five tons — arrived from New York City on Oct, 20, 1997, aboard a Pickens-Kane 48-foot truck to a crowd of eager reporters and staff members. For a week prior to the shipping, Field Museum preparators William Simpson and Steven McCarroll supervised the crating of Sue at a storage facility in Queens, N.Y. They also carefully inspected all the protective field jackets to ensure the fossil would survive its 790-mile road trip. “The specimen itself is in really good con- dition," said McCarroll. “Some of the jackets were kind of thin so we added additional lay- ers of burlap and plaster to reinforce them." Pickens-Kane, a Chicago company that specializes in transporting museum artifacts, donated the cost of moving and packing Sue. A major concern for Chris Knight, the compa- ny's manager of fine arts services, was protect- ing the 1,700-pound skull, which McCarroll and Simpson had encased in a 200-pound protec- tive plaster case. Knight's solution was to The Field Museum, McDonald's Corporation and Walt Disney World Resort announced the following plans for Sue at a Nov. 17, 1997, press conference: broken and healed during Sue's life- time. Field Museum scientists will study this and many other bones from the skeleton, some of which are marked by injuries and bite marks. These pathologies will help scientists learn more about the dinosaur's social and competitive interactions. Sue’s massive skull displayed in pro- tective plaster beneath a photo showing it completely revealed. Skull casts of four other meat-eating dinosaurs (right) are also on exhibit to illustrate Sue's enormous size. Sue's forearm, claw and 12-inch serrated tooth completely revealed and prepared. The forearm is especially significant because Sue is only the second T, rex fossil ever found with its relatively tiny arms preserved. The Year 2000 ‘S. The Field Museum will mount and dis- play the original bones of Sue. 5 Disney will display one life-sized cast at DinoLand U.S.A. (one of the “lands” at Disney's Animal Kingdom). Sx Two life-sized casts of Sue will tour the country as part of a McDonald's millennium celebration. devise a system where the skull — which is 61 inches long, 24 inches high and 38 inches wide — would rest in an Ethafoam cushion precise- ly engineered according to the skull’s dimensions and weight. He then strapped the skull to a specially-designed wooden skid and enclosed the structure in a customized crate. “Our ultimate concern was that this was such a unique and rare specimen,” said Knight. “With the skull, as well as with the rest of the material, we wanted to make sure the specimen was immune to vibration and move- ment during its journey." Any fears that Simpson and McCarroll may have had about being responsible for trans- porting the world's most famous dinosaur fossil were lessened when Knight explained that his company had moved thousands of artifacts, including paintings by Claude Monet and Henri Matisse, as well as John Dillinger’s death mask. He then casually added that the compa- ny once moved an object worth $74 million. As one last safety precaution, the Museum hired a retired Chicago police officer to travel with Sue. Fortunately, he saw no action; how- ever, McCarroll and Simpson were glad to have Albertosaurus Sue's vertebra, partial jaw bone, shoulder blade and ankle bone encased in their plas- ter field jackets in open wooden crates. him along. During a layover in Ohio, the officer stayed with Sue all night in the hotel parking lot while McCarroll and Simpson slept. “My biggest fear during the trip was that the truck would be involved in an accident,” explained Simpson, who, along with McCarroll, followed the truck in a rental car. “Steve Kasos, the Pickens-Kane driver, was very professional ...he did a great job. The transportation of Sue went flawlessly, in fact we haven't had any problems yet, other than finding enough time to get the project up to speed.” Finding time is something the geology department is going to have to get used to, Simpson estimates that it would take a preparator five years of working full time to prepare the fossil. To guarantee that Sue is mounted and on display at the beginning of the year 2000, the department will hire at least five preparators, three to work at the Museum and two to work at Disney’s new Animal King- dom theme park in Florida. John Weinstein /GN88540.16C Kimberly Mazanek /GN88485.16C Above: From left to right — Chris Knight, William Simpson and Geology Chair John Flynn exam- ine Sue's ilium, part of the pectoral girdle. IN THE FIELD JANUARY* FEBRUARY 1998 Fi Paul Vosper /GN88423. Above: Harlem is a diverse community that contains historic neighborhoods of beautifully-maintained private brownstones. Har lem e e e Continued from page | Participant observation is important because it allows systematic documentation not only through what people say, but also through what they do. Direct observations of behavior and patterns of interaction also serve as pow- erful cross-checks to the validity of information obtained from subjects reporting on their own behavior and perceptions. In the case of the Harlem study, we con- ducted participant observation in seven sites, including a large hospital, a social-service agency, a fast-food restaurant and three neigh- borhoods. These data were supplemented with information from focus groups, in-depth interviews and a random survey of 100 women. The results revealed strong social patterns that affect women’s abilities to have healthy pregnancies and that expose them to acute stress and chronic strain. We found, for example, that the social con- ditions of living in a poor community create many factors that may increase the risk of infant mortality. In our study, we also discov- ered that the lack of adequate and affordable housing produces an envi- ronment in which women expend tremendous time and effort finding and main- taining safe shelters for themselves and their chil- dren. Even working-class and middle-income Harlem women find it much more difficult than other Manhat- tan residents to access basic services like clean streets, building repairs, proper sani- tation and pest control. In our sample, more than 50 percent of the pregnant women experienced serious housing difficulties during their pregnancies. Harlem residents also contend with higher levels of environmen- tal and air pollution than the rest of Manhattan. Our find- ings suggest that it is not just the presence of these unhealthy conditions that expose women to adverse health risks, but also the amount of time and effort women expend resisting becoming victims of these conditions. To coun- teract these factors, Harlem women pursue individual remedies (like taking landlords to housing court) and collective remedies (like forming tenant associations), While taking action can be a positive strategy, it also has health risks, particularly the stresses that arise when problems appear intractable and efforts are met with persistent obstructions. Additionally, the information we gathered on exposure to risks in the workplace suggests that for pregnant African-American women the usual problems associated with work (like physical strain, lack of control over work load and schedule) are intensified by broader health risks linked to income and employment insecurity — all of which characterize a large segment of working African-American women. According to recent census figures, 85 percent of black women work in three major sectors dominated by government and nonprofits. In Alaka Wali Named Nuveen Curator he John Nuveen Company recently funded the John Nuveen Curatorship at The Field Museum, an 8-year position that the Museum awarded to anthropologist _Alaka Wali. The award will support her work as director of The Field Museum’s Center for Cultural Understanding and Change. “We are proud to have as John Nuveen Curator some- one with Dr. Wali’s impressive academic credentials,” says Timothy R. Schwertfeger, a Field Museum trustee and chairman and chief executive officer of The John Nuveen Company. “This program will allow the Museum, through her work, to broaden urban research in the Chicago area.” For three years, Wali has directed the Center for Cul- tural Understanding and Change. Established in 1993, the Center is dedicated to promoting better cultural under-— standing through open dialogue, collaborative education projects and anthropological research on human cultures past and present. Most recently, the Center has played a prominent role in creating Living Together — a new per- manent exhibit and public-learning project that opened at The Field Museum on Nov. 8, 1997. The John Nuveen Company has been a longtime sup- porter of the humanities and education. Two years ago, Wali directed the Nuveen Forum at The Field Museum, a series of conversations among diverse Chicagoans and _ anthropologists called Teaching Culture, Cultural Teach- _ ings: Conversations About Culture and Identity in America. According to Wali, it was through the Nuveen Forum — which was sponsored by The John Nuveen Company and the National Endowment for the Humani- ties — that Museum staff gathered many ideas for Living Together. = Besides organizing public forums, educational pro- grams and exhibits, The Center for Cultural Understanding and Change brings together scientists from various disci- plines to work on collaborative projects. Researchers are currently investigating topics like why cultural diversity exists in societies; what kinds of forces cause cultural change; how human interactions with the natural environment shape both cultural systems and the environment itself; how complex societies evolved throughout the world; and what causes human conflict throughout history. == = Wali’s own research focuses on how global economic restructuring has impacted the ways in which people organize themselves and establish their social identities. Her research has been primarily in the Central and South American hinterlands and in several urban areas through- out the United States. She plans to extend her urban research to the Chicago area (see story on page 1). recent years, these sectors have been hit hard by downsizing and budget cuts. Four out of the five work sites where we conducted field- work were eliminated outright or significantly reduced. Therefore, as the case of Fatima illus- trates, even middle-class African-American women find themselves vulnerable to acute stress and chronic strain from the vagaries of the job market and lack of security. Other African-American women, like Rose, are con- centrated in low-wage service-sector jobs where benefits are minimal or where bureau- cratic procedures make it difficult to access continuous and consistent health care. On the other hand, our findings also revealed that there are significant assets in Harlem that people use to create protective strategies for their health and well-being. In addition to their own resilience and persis- tence, their reliance on religious institutions as arenas for social change is also important. Assets also include the continued strength of women-centered families and peer networks of social support through which women and their families share material and psychological resources. Among the implications for further research and intervention are the following: First, the findings suggest that multiple social factors can interact to create high levels of risk and that these social factors may be more significant than individual behaviors like smoking. Epidemiologists are just beginning to document the relationship between socially- induced levels of stress and physiological vul- nerability to chronic disease or poor health. Our research should help them in designing more refined methods to collect relevant data. Second, our findings suggest that inter- ventions for better public-health access should build on or incorporate existing com- munity assets, For example, creative ways of getting religious institutions or neighborhood associations to offer prenatal care might be a solution. Health education and interventions using existing social networks of kin and peer groups that empower women to act on their own behalf might also be effective. Regular readers of In the Field might won- der why research on contemporary urban and social problems is taking place at The Field Museum. Several years ago, the Museum rec- ognized that to remain a vital and active edu- cational center, it needed to broaden its approach to both education and research by directly addressing two major contemporary concerns: the protection of biodiversity and the promotion of cultural understanding. The recent opening of the Living Together exhibit (see November/December issue of In the Field), for example, is an important step toward real- izing this objective. Field research in urban settings also will provide critical knowledge necessary for the Museum to reach its objec- tives. Urban research is also an effective way for the Museum to broaden the scope of its focus while incorporating modern anthropolo- gy's theoretical concerns, And because anthro- pologists are frequently tackling complex issues about contemporary society, Museum researchers also must be actively involved in this effort. To that end, the Center for Cultural Understanding and Change is developing an urban research initiative in Chicago in collabo- ration with local universities and community organizations. Through this project, we hope to bring the message of contemporary anthropology to the Museum's diverse and growing audience. JANUARY*FEBRUARY 1998 IN THE FIELD 1/4 Sunday Coqui and His Crowd: Meet the Animals of Puerto Rico 11 a.m. The loud sound of “co-qui, co-qui, co- qui” fills rainy days and the night air of Puerto Rico near the coast and high up in the green mountains. Made by a small frog with an incredibly powerful voice, it’s just one of the animals from Puerto Rico you'll meet in this special morning program. Many of these ani- mals — including blind snakes, tree-climbing giant millipedes, snails that have almost com- pletely lost their shell and two species of color-~ ful hummingbirds — live nowhere else on Earth. Don’t miss out on this adventure into the wild based on biologist and photographer Alfonso Silva Lee’s soon-to-be-published chil- dren's book Coqui y Compania! Free with reg- ular Museum admission; preregistration is not required. For more information, call 312.322.8854. 1/4 Sunday Cuba: The Mystery Island Revealed 2 p.m. Alfonso Silva Lee’s Natural Cuba/Cuba natural is the first book this century to docu- ment the tropical island’s extensive fauna and flora. The largest island in the Caribbean, Cuba is also the most biologically diverse. This book offers a rare glimpse at wild Cuba, unseen by U.S. naturalists and travelers for more than 35 years. Cuba and the surrounding archipelagos are home to a remarkable number of endemic species, including the bee hummingbird, which is the world’s smallest bird; minute frogs and boas; magnificent painted tree snails; and rare butterflies and orchids. Author and pho- tographer Alfonso Silva Lee — trained both in the former Soviet Union and the United States (including The Field Museum) in biology and conservation — blends an international per- spective on Cuba’s unique ecological niche with a lifelong dedication to Cuba’s biodiversi- ty. His presentation will include slides of many of the exquisite photographs that are in his book. Copies of Natural Cuba/Cuba natural will be available for purchase and signing after the lecture. Free with regular Museum admis- sion; preregistration is not required. For more information, call 312.322.8854. ANUARY*FEBRUJ I/ 9 Friday Secrets of The Field Museum: An Insider Tells All 6 — 8 p.m. So you like the exhibits and have heard the stories, but you want to know more about the tunnels, the light wells and the for- mer location of Stanley Field's office. Join us for a rare opportunity to learn about the history and architecture of The Field Museum with our expert guide Paul Baker. Visit rarely seen his- toric exhibits that are tucked away in dark cor- ners, learn the meaning behind the art and architecture of the building, discover the loca- tion of the first elevator and visit several other interesting locations rarely seen by the public. Bring your sense of adventure and fasten your seat belts . . . it might get bumpy! Adults and children, grades 3 and up. $10 per participant ($8 per member participant). For more infor- mation or to register, call 312.322.8854. 1/3 I Saturday Historical and Contemporary Ceramics in Japan 10 a.m. — noon. Guest presenter Anne-Bridget Gary, a professor at University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, will focus on some of Japan’s historical ceramics, with an emphasis on pieces created for a 16th-century tea ceremo- ny. Gary will also share her experiences as a master potter’s apprentice in central and north- ern Japan. Participants will visit the exhibit “A Basketmaker in Rural Japan” to see analo- gies of historical and contemporary craft in modern Japanese baskets. $18 ($15 members). For more information or to register, call 312.322.8854. 2/2 Monday A Bird's Eye View: Drawing at The Field 6-9 p.m. This multilevel drawing class will develop your visual language and observation skills by using the world of birds for inspira- tion. This class will consist of professional art instruction from School of the Art Institute fac- ulty and lecture/lab sessions led by Field Museum scientists. These scientist-led sessions will tap into the incredible resources at the Museum, including rare ornithological illustra- tions, exhibits and the world’s fourth largest bird collection. Students will also have the opportunity to go behind the scenes for a look at the Ayer Ornithology Library in the Mary W. Runnells Rare Book Room — a room that con- tains the original ornithological illustrations of noted artists Louis Agassiz Fuertes and George Sutton. All sessions will take place at The Field Museum. This course is available every Mon- day until April 6 (10 sessions). $280 ($252 members). For more information or to register, call 312.322.8854. 2/ 3 Tuesday A Museum Salon 6 — 8 p.m. Provocative books, interesting com- pany, excellent conversation and good food — in other words, all the elements needed for an engaging evening. In these small-group salon evenings, we'll discuss four important novels, each of which relates to national and racial identities, ethnicity and gender. Fiction has been an essential and often cutting-edge medi- um in providing a voice to social understand- ing. Our selection of novels, which span continents and cultures, includes East, West: Stories by Salman Rushdie (February); Woman Warrior: Memoir of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston (March); Fever by John Edgar Wideman (April) and Woman Hol- lering Creek by Sandra Cisneros (May). The dis- cussion will rely on the participation and input of the program participants. Light hors d’oeu- vres and beverages will be provided. Partici- pants will need to buy their own books and should come to each session prepared to dis- cuss the evening's selection. This course will take place on February 3, March 3, April 7 and May 5. (4 sessions) $65 per participant ($57 per member participant). For more information or to register, call 312.322.8854. 2/6 Friday Hoops in the Hall The goal of the Field Associates, the Museum’s recently charted auxiliary board, is to create events, programs and excursions that appeal to Chicago's young-adult population. On Feb. 6, 1998, they will host a kick-off event that will transform Stanley Field Hall into a basketball arena where spectators will enjoy a lively com- petition, classic game food and drinks. The event coincides with the exhibit “Soul of the Game” (see exhibit page). For more informa- tion about this event or joining the Field Asso- ciates, call 312.322.8870. 2/1 5 Sunday A Journey Down the Nile 6 —9 p.m. Explore the intriguing and mysteri- ous cultural practices of ancient Egypt and descend the spiral staircase into the tomb of Unis Ankh. Find out what was needed for suc- cess in the afterlife and hunt for bargains in an Egyptian marketplace in the Inside Ancient Egypt exhibit. Then plunge into the Nile at the Shedd Aquarium to discover the variety of fresh-water aquatic wildlife that inhabits the river system and to learn about the environ- mental conditions that shaped this fascinating region. Adults and children, grades 3 and up. $15 per participant ($12 per member partici- pant). For more information or to register, call 312.322.8854. 2/17 & 2/21 Tuesday & Saturday Herds, Flocks, Groups and Gaggles 10 —11 a.m. Why do some people and ani- mals always seem to travel in groups? How many geese make a gaggle? If fish travel in schools, do they have to ride the bus? Join Audrey Sauer and learn the methods animals use to find food and protect themselves from predators by sticking together. Go on a Muse- um safari to spot animals in groups and to learn about their behavior. Then visit the Muse- um’s new Living Together exhibit to see how people form their own special groups. Adults and children, age 3 and 4. $8 per participant ($7 per member participant). For more infor- mation or to register, call 312.322.8854. For a brochure with a complete listing of winter programs, call 312.322.8854. wards on a bet. The exhibit also includes a special Chicago section introducing never-before-seen images of eight Chicago leg- ends, including Pau] McPherson, Lamar Mondane and Arthur Sivils — players who perform spectacular moves that will be talked about for years to come. “Soul of the Game" also showcases the rich oral history of street basketball by presenting the hip-hop poetry of five artists. The sounds of rap and poetry will fill the gallery as poets recount the stories of urban street basket- ball in their own unique styles. The writers featured are Markham Who?, Gregorio Deshawn McDonald, muMs the schemer, Poetri and Gerald Quickley. Upper Right: From New York City’s Rucker Park to Chicago's Nat King Cole Park, photog- rapher John Huet brings to life the stories of incred- ibly talented players. Huet has been pho- tographing athletes for 15 years and has won numerous awards, includ- ing a Clio nomination for his work with Nike and the NBA. Right: A beaded copper pendant with sweetgrass and deerskin ties — created by Lorraine Shananaquet, one of the artists featured in “Sisters of the Great Lakes.” Below: A selection of bas- kets now on display in “A Basketmaker In Rural Japan.” hotographer John Huet profiles legendary street bas- § ketball players in a collection of 130 photographs. Bringing these compelling images to life are selected sounds of hip-hop poetry and rap. “Soul of the u Game” opens on Jan. 9, 1998, and continues through March 15, 1998. Huet visited urban playgrounds, the places where many of the coolest moves in the NBA were invented. Through his photographs, Huet puts the viewer courtside to witness the physical intensity that makes these players legends. He also shows us the players, the struggles, the good breaks and the bad breaks. Some of the players cap- tured on film include Jackie “Jumpin' Jack" Jackson, who could leap so high that he could take a 50-cent piece off the top of the backboard. He later became one of the Harlem Globetrotters. And then there is Earl “Goat” Mani- gault who was once said to have dunked 36 times back- Sisters Of The Great Lakes ¢ isters of the Great Lakes,” on display through March 29, 1998, is a collection of ®* artwork that shows how 20 Native American women use their creativity to address the complexities of being Indian in a modem world. The artists in this exhibit represent a variety of tribal groups from Michigan, New York, Illinois, Wisconsin and Canada. The exhibit presents a series of visual expressions, each one a reflection of the artist's identity as a woman and as an Ameri- can Indian with a distinct tribal heritage. Art- work on display includes contemporary pottery, beadwork, sculpture, dolls, paintings, photography and stained glass. This exhibit resulted from a two-year pro- ject titled “Native American Women Artists: Transcending Boundaries for Future Genera- tions," a series of professional development workshops coordinated by the Nokomis Learn- ing Center for female Indian artists living in the Great Lakes region. The Center's organiz- The Feld Museum ers designed the workshops to increase public awareness of regional Indian art and to develop participants’ busi- ness and marketing skills. Through the project, the female artists could share experiences and learn from each other — a process reflected in their work. During the program's second year, the women became known as the “Sisters of the Great Lakes” or “Sisters.” It is their work during this period that is the focus of the exhibit. “Sisters of the Great Lakes” also offers a glimpse at the varied learning experiences of these women. Some of these artists received training in traditional art forms from family and friends, while others acquired their skills from instructors in high school, college or art school. Much of the artwork shows how they combined John Huet old traditions with new techniques, materials and forms. Michigan State University Museum and the Nokomis Learning Center, in partnership with the artists, developed the exhibit. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Nokomis Learning Center, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, MSU Native American Institute and the Elizabeth Halsted Lifelong Education Endow- ment provided support for the project. A Basketmaker In Rural Japan T he exhibit “A Basketmaker in Rural Japan,” which is on display until Feb. 8, 1998, pre- i sents a comprehensive collection of 106 objects, including bamboo burden baskets, fishing creels, kitchen storage baskets and farm tools. All the objects on display were crafted by Hiroshima Kazuo — the last professional basketmaker in the mountainous Hinokage region on the island of Kyushu in southern Japan. Born in 1915, Mr. Hiroshima has been producing baskets for rural communities for 64 years. Using local bamboo and paying great attention to detail, Mr. Hiroshima constructs the baskets that are in demand by the island's residents. The baskets reflect the islanders’ everyday lives and an economy rooted in fishing, farming and lumber harvesting. Villagers on Japan's Gokase River use bas- kets like those depicted in the photograph on the left to catch fish. For example, fishermen fill the basket like the one in the foreground with fragrant bait to snare fish called dace (cyprinid fish). Because the trap's opening is fitted with a gate made of bamboo strips, the fish are unable to escape. Fishermen employ traps like the ones in the background to catch carp and crabs. The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., organized the exhibit from collections of the National Muse- um of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution Special Exhibition Fund and Nippon Express Co., Ltd. provided support for this exhibit. The JCCC Foundation supported the exhibit's installation at The Field Museum, African Heritage Festival ‘98 Feb. 7 — 8, 1998, for a celebration of African-American Heritage during “African Heritage Festival ‘98!” This year’s festival will focus on the theme Living Together and will be used as an opportunity to revisit the Africa exhibit and to explore the dispersion of African people throughout the world. Every day during the event, Museum researchers will talk about their latest findings in Africa; there will also be daily demonstra- tions involving themes like body adornment and shelter. The “Food Brings People Togeth- er” restaurant court will provide visitors with the opportunity to enjoy the savory tastes of African and African-American food while lis- tening and dancing to the sounds of Maggie Brown, Billy Branch, Call for Peace Drum and Dance Company, and many others. ] oin the Museum on Saturday and Sunday, African Heritage Programs February 1 — Sunday, 4 p.m. Keynote presentation Snapshots: Glimpses of America in Change: Join nationally-acclaimed playwright and performer Anna Deavere Smith for a lecture/presentation addressing issues of race, class and gender. Copies of her books Fires in The Mirror and Twilight in Los Ange- les will be available for purchase and signing. ($18; $15 members, $13 students, seniors and educators). February 7 — Saturday, 4 —7 p.m. Preserving our Cultural Heritage: Join Garifuna commu- nity members from Belize, New York and Chicago for a symposium discussing the history of their exile, their extended journey and their spirituality. The symposium will be followed bya special video screening of The _Garifuna Journey, a full-length documentary by Chicago - filmmakers Andrea Leland and Kathy Berger. (Free with As a special tribute to the diaspora and the celebration of the triumph of the human spirit in the face of despair, this year’s festival will also highlight the Garifuna, an indigenous people of African and Carib-Indian descent who resisted slavery and struggled against the odds to maintain their traditions. The Garifuna culture will come alive throughout the weekend with a celebration of interactive music, dance, food and film. Two workshops and a symposium on the “Garifuna Experience” will take place on February 7 (see below). The festival continues with programs and activities for school groups on Monday and Tuesday, February 9 — 10, from 10 a.m. to | p.m. Admission to African Heritage Festival ‘98 is free with regular Museum admission. For more information, call 312.922.9410, ext. 497. February 7 — Saturday 9:30 a.m. — noon. A Lasting Legacy: Creating Community Archives: This workshop will show participants how to prepare for the organization and maintenance of records and historical- ly important documents. ($28; $25 members). February 7 — Saturday, 1 —3 p.m. A Living Legacy: Documenting One’s Culture: Using the Garifuna culture as a “case study,” participants will explore the tools and techniques used to record person- al, family or community history. ($23; $20 members). February 7 — Saturday, 10 a.m. Roots in the Rhythm: African-Brazilian Drumming: Learn about the African influence on the rhythms and instruments of Brazil and try your hand at using drums Janette Beckman Anna Deavere Smith African Heritage Festival keynote speaker February 20 — Friday, 6 — 8 p.m. Constructing an Exhibit at The Field Museum: Learn how the Africa exhibit was conceived, planned and constructed with a member of the original Africa clevel- opment team. The evening will include a special slide presentation and tour of the Africa exhibit. (Adults and children, grades 3 and up; $10 per participant, $8 per member). February 27, Friday, 5:45 p.m. Journey To Africa: Family Overnight Join us in the Museum after-hours for a special opportu- nity to enjoy the sights and sounds of Africa during Feb- ruary’s Overnight. (Adults and children, grades 1 — 6; $45 per participant, $40 per member). regular Museum admission). Chicago Wilderness Launches New Magazine Did you know that... more endangered species survive in three counties of northeastern Illinois than in all the rest of the state combined? Cook County has the largest forest preserve district in the state with nearly 68,000 acres of protected land? 44 species of wild orchids are native to the Chicago region's prairies, wetlands and forests? “I've lived here all my life and I never knew that,” said a Chicago resident after reading the first issue of Chicago Wilderness magazine, a new quarterly publication devoted to the rare and wonderful natural areas of the region, as well as to the work of Chicago Wilderness member organizations, including The Field Museum. Chicago Wilderness magazine, launched last November, aims to bring a seasonal dose of inspiration and information about the people making history in the field of biodiversity conservation in this area, as well as the intriguing and beautiful natural communities also known as Chicago Wilderness. “Our goal is to celebrate the natural com- munities of this region, to guide readers to the genuine discovery zones within easy reach and to share what the members of Chicago Wilderness are learning and finding in their numerous projects," explains Debra Shore, editor of the magazine. The premiere issue included features on and other percussion instruments from Africa and Brazil with drummer Lenny Marsh. (Adults and children, grades 3 — 6; $10 per participant, $8 per member). the rebirth of the oak woods and the basis for the high concentration of globally-significant biodiversity in the greater metropolitan area. A section called “Meet Your Neighbors” intro- duces interesting people of the region — such as Bill and Alice Howenstine, a McHenry County couple with a long history of outdoor education and stewardship, and John Case, a DuPage County commissioner who has cham- pioned a natural areas management plan for the county — as well as other members of the community like the prairie plant known as rattlesnake master. "Into the Wild" is a guide to the best natural areas of the region, accompanied by a natural events calendar announcing what's debuting on nature's stage each season. The first issue also had an ecosystem game and a field guide checklist for kids. “I found it helpful," said one local reader. "It told me things I didn’t know about my own backyard." The next issue will include features on the short-eared owl, the region's glacial land- scape and a profile of Peter Crane, the Muse- um’s vice president of academic affairs and director. It will also contain more fascinating facts about the region, news of events, tips on resources, a guide to more natural areas, kid's pages, scenes of the winter landscape and a guest essay. Future issues will include articles on birds and habitat restoration, gardening with native plants, the history of the 1 & M Canal, Dave Willard's lakefront migration study, essays, photos and excerpts from set- tler's journals. To subscribe, send $12 to Chicago Wilderness magazine, P.O. Box 268, Downers Grove, IL 60515-0268. You can reach Chicago Wilderness magazine via e-mail at <> or by phone at 847.869.5440. Please note that programs are subject to change. On the day of your visit, pick up a Field Notes Sheet for an up-to-date program listing. John Weinstein’ GN8811027¢ F Above: Artist Sharon Skolnick displays her Native American dolls (see January 24). Right: The Call for Peace Drum and Dance Com- pany — one of the many artists performing at African Heritage Festival ‘98 (see February 7). | p.m, The Aztecs, The Maya and Their Predecessors tour. Learn about the diverse and complex pre- Columbian cultures of Mexico and Central America. Offered every Thursday in January. Check listings for February. 9a.m.—3 p.m. Visit the Life Over Time exhibit and learn how scien- tists are trying to understand the environment in central Montana by picking out microscopic animal bones from dirt in which dinos lived and died. Watch on a large-screen monitor as microscopic discoveries are made before your eyes! 1 p.m. Preschoolers Alert! Story Time: Facts, Fables and Fiction is an exciting new program located in the Place for Wonder — a hands-on area for children. Enjoy a relaxing time, learn new songs and stories, and have fun creating artwork. (One adult for every three children, please.) For a weekly list of topics, please check the Field Notes Sheet located at the information booth in Stanley Field Hall. 10 a.m. —1 p.m. Pareus activity. Try out a Pacific Island style as you wrap a pareu-style dress. 10 a.m.—1 p.m. Drawing in The Field activity. Join artist Peggy Mac- namara to learn how to draw your favorite Museum object. 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. The Aztec Empire and Its Predecessors tour (English). Discover the diversity of Mexican cultures and languages whose heritage extends over 3,000 years. Find out how the Aztec migrat- ed to central Mexico, assimilated to this region's lifestyle and built a mighty empire prior the arrival of the Europeans. 1:30 p.m. El Imperio Azteca y sus predecesores tour (espafiol). Des- cubra la diversidad de las culturas y lenguas mexicanas asi como su herencia de hace 3000 anos. Apren- da cémo los Aztecas (mexicas) emi- graron al centro de México, se adaptaron al estilo de vida de esta regién y construyeron un poderoso Highlights of The Field Museum tours are offered Monday through Friday, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Visit some of the exhibits that make this Museum one of the world's finest. Find out the stories behind the exhibits. Check weekend listings for Saturday and Sunday highlight tours. imperio antes de la llegada de los europeos. 10 a.m. — | p.m. Owl Pellets activity. Learn about the dissection process that scientists use to discover the contents of a predatory bird's diet. ll am. & | p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour. 1:30 p.m. The Early Maya Civiliza- tion tour. Explore the Maya's ances- tors' art, architecture, technical innovations, math and writing sys- tems. Also find out more about the 2 million people in Mexico and Central America who still speak the Mayan language. Noon & 2 p.m. Kamishabai: a Japan- ese Storytelling Tradition. Join Mar- sha Hagio Hawley and learn about an art form that evolved from itinerant street storytelling that was popular throughout Japan into the 1950s. 1:30 p.m. Tibet Today and a Faith in Exile slide lecture. See Lhasa and other places now open to tourists in Tibet. Learn about Tibetan refugees in India, Nepal and elsewhere. Wit- ness the dedication ceremony of a Himalayan Buddhist Chorten in Indi- ana by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Noon & 2 p.m. Kamishabai: a Japan- ese Storytelling Tradition (see January 10). 10 a.m. — | p.m. Lava activity. Now that they're cool, touch some of the substances produced by a volcano. ll a.m. & 1 p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour. 10 a.m. — | p.m. Rocks and Minerals activity. Try and match minerals with the familiar products they produce. Noon — 3 p.m. Native American Dolls. Artist Sharon Skolnick talks about the dolls she created that are dressed in traditional attire made of fur, horsehair, deerskin, porcupine quills, feathers, leather and cloth trimmed with beaded and appliquéd designs, You can see more of Sharon Skolnick's art and the work of other Native American women in the exhibit “Sisters of the Great Lakes” (see “exhibit” page). 1:30 p.m, The Early Maya Civiliza- tion tour. Il am. & | p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour. Noon — 3 p.m, Native American Dolls (see January 24). 10 a.m.—1 p.m. Shells activity. Did you know that shells were "left hand- ed" or "right-handed?" Discover more about different types of shells in this informative activity. llam. & | p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour. 1:30 p.m. Tibet Today and Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon slide lecture. A slide presentation that takes you to Lhasa and other places now open to tourists in Tibet. Also travel to the small Himalayan coun- try of Bhutan. 11:30 & 2 p.m. Karagiozi Greek Shadow Puppets. Bring the family and enjoy this 200-year-old Greek folk art. Learn Greek culture and his- tory through satire, humor and 3 fa ih, 9 1:30 p.m. The Early Maya Civiliza- i= ° a o ie} Cc mm African Heritage Festival 11 a.m. —4 p.m. This year's festival focuses on the theme Living Together and the African Diaspora. Field Museum scientists display and talk about their latest findings in Africa. Enjoy the music, dance and cuisine of African and African-Ameri- cans (see previous page for more information). African Heritage Festival (see Feb- Tuary 7). African Heritage Festival continues with activities and programs for school groups (see February 7). African Heritage Festival continues with activities and programs for school groups (see February 7). 11 am, & | p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour. 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. The Aztec Empire and Its Predecessors tour (English). 1:30 p.m. El Imperio Azteca y sus predecesores tour (en espajiol). 11 a.m. & | p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour. 11 a.m. & | p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour. ll am.é& | p.m. Highlights of The Field Museum tour. 1:30 p.m. Tibet Today and a Faith in Exile slide lecture. RESOURCE CENTERS Daniel F. & Ada L. Rice Wildlife Research Station Learn more about the animal king- dom through videos, computer pro- grams, books and activity boxes. Open daily, 10 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. Webber Resource Center Native Cultures of the Americas Use books, videos, tribal newspa- pers and activity boxes to learn more about native peoples, Open daily, 10 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. Place for Wonder Touchable objects let you investi- gate fossils, shells, rocks, plants and items of daily life in Mexico. Weekdays: | p.m. — 4:30 p.m. Weekends: 10 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. Pawnee Earth Lodge Visit a home of mid-19th century Pawnee people. Learn about these Native Americans and their traditional life on the plains. Weekdays: | p.m. program Weekends: 10 a.m, — 4:30 p.m Kimberly Mazanek/ GN88506.12C THE WOMEN’S BOARD Kim Mazanek /GN88521,09C ‘TT he Women's Board invited guests to expe- sounds of a waterfall completed the | rience a night in the rainforest at a creative © ambiance. During the gala, guests had the black-tie benefit on Nov. 14, 1997. More opportunity to preview Sue —the world's than 500 people enjoyed the evening's festivi- most famous T. rex. ties, which raised more than $340,000 to sup- Donna La Pietra chaired the 1997 benefit port and care for the Museum’s encyclopedic and Mrs. Harrington Bischof, Sharon Parting- biological collections and to strengthen the ton Dixon, Laura De Ferrari Front and Mrs. Museum's environmental education programs. John D. Nichols served as vice chairs. The Monsanto Company generously under- wrote the benefit, which was titled “Amazonia: A Night In the Rainforest.” For the event, the Women’s Board wrapped Stanley Field Hall in a rainfor- est of vegetation. While dining on foods under a canopy of mosquito netting, the sound of thunder gently reverberated throughout the hall. The sights and Above; From left to right — Museum Trustee Bill Kur- tis; Donna LaPietra; Women's Board President Withrow Meeker; Museum President John McCarter; Sharon Right: From left to right — Peter Dixon; Connie Bischof; and Alexandra Nichols. Crane, vice president of academic affairs and director, Museum Trustee Richard Flury; Joan Webber; and Elizabeth Flury. Kim Mazanek /GN88556.20C Kim Mazanek /GN88522.07C. f the hundreds of excited children that filled Stanley Field Hall on Dec. 3 ,1997, are any indication, then the Women’s Board annual Holiday Tea celebration is becoming as much a Chicago holiday tradition as shopping the day after Thanksgiving. Performers for this year's event included the Jesse White Tum- blers, the Stu Hirsh Orchestra, Mr. Imagination and Stiltwalker Andy Head. Women's Board members, staff and volunteers were on hand to entertain the children with a host of activi- ties, including mask making, African Adinkra, Polish paper cutting and an educational trea- sure hunt. As usual, the man in the red suit with the long, shaggy white beard stole the show. Above: Marion Lloyd teaches children an ancient stamping technique called African Adinkra. k /GN88556.25C Left: Santa Claus and his merry elves escort “student achievers" from Bright and McCosh Elementary schools into Stanley Field Hall. ia St g the park’s elephant . phant population , very few, ntil now, “have population, What he uncovered in his four -year study i isa chilling and mov- _ transforming the social structure of surviving elephai pop ing story of how poaching is destroying the basic fabric of elephant society. In “Elephants: Their Social Behavior and The Impact of Poaching,” Foley Elephants are long-lived, intelligent and highly social animals existing in will present his findings and introduce the audience to the wonders of small family groups that provide safe and stable environments for maturing Tarangire National Park — a spectacular, little-known wildlife park that is home infants. However, in seeking out large tusks, poachers have systematically deci- to 2,300 elephants. He will also tell very personal stories about how the ele- mated adult male and large matriarchal populations — a process that is weak- _ phants he studied came to accept him, offering anecdotes about the different ening the bonds between individuals and groups that develop over an personalities of the animals he came to admire. elephant’s life. In human society, it is comparable to someone killing everyone To RSVP, call 312.742.2182. Tickets are $16 (includes food and beverages). over the age of 35. IN THE FIELD JANUARY*FEBRUARY 1998 os John Weinstein /GN88548.48C Top: Dorothy Roder in her favorite location: the Founders’ Room. Behind her is the doorway that belonged to the Old Empire tomb of Egyplian nobleman Y-Nofred. Edward Ayer collected the artifact in 1896. olunteers have been essential to The Field Muse- um for more than 60 years. Without the skills and experience that volunteers bring, the Muse- um could not function as an effective public institu- tion. This exhibit outlines the history of volunteering at the Museum and highlights the contributions vol- unteers make to the visitor experience and to scien- tific research at The Field Museum. It also encourages visitors to join the Museum as volun- After 36 Years Of Service, Dorothy Roder Retires By Robert Vosper orothy Roder's first job at The Field Muse- um is not exactly her most pleasant memo- ry from her 36-year history at The Field Museum. For five years, starting in 1961, she sat at a table in the membership department thumbing through white index cards, checking a phone solicitor's prospect list against membership records. “It was the worst job you could ever come up with," says Roder, “But every day I was there, | kept telling myself that it was the most worthwhile thing we had to do in membership.” This monotonous task, however, was the beginning of an almost four-decade relation- ship with The Field Museum that ended on Dec. 31, 1997, when Roder, 72, finally surren- dered her Museum identification badge to find out what life has to offer without the burden of a full-time job. “I feel very nostalgic about leaving The Field Museum, | really have a lot of reserva- tions about it," she said a month before retir- ing. “After you work that many years in one place you are going to be left with an empty spot in your heart.” Though Roder’s first Museum job lacked The Volunteer Program Anniversary Exhibit On Display Through April 13, 1998, In The Searle Lounge teers. The “Volunteer Program Anniversary Exhibit” was organized by The Field Museum. If you are interested in volunteering at The Field Museum, please call Patti Stratton at 312.922.9410, ext. 526, or send a resume addressed to The Field Museum, Volunteer Programs, Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL., 60605. You can also download an application from the Museum's Web site at <>. glamour, it opened the door to her eventual promotion in 1966 as manager of the member- ship department. For the next 13 years, under Roder's direction, the Museum experienced a 260 percent increase in members. But in the chronicles of Field Museum history, Roder probably will not be remembered for this suc- cess, but rather for her 18 years of dedication to one of the Museum's most successful pro- jects: Field Museum Tours. The tour program was born out of Roder's attempt to tap into the 1977 phenomenon known as the King Tut exhibit. During its five- month stay at the Museum, the exhibit drew an unprecedented 1.5 million visitors. For months before and after the exhibit, Roder began offering membership tours to Egypt that sold out as quickly as she could organize them. Realizing that there was a market for quality overseas tour packages, she then began offer- ing annual trips, many of which were based on exhibits or the work of Museum scientists. In 1978, with her membership tours receiv- ing rave reviews, Roder approached then Field Museum President Lee Webber with the idea of creating a separate tour department within membership that would introduce new donors to the Museum and would promote its scientif- ic mission. Webber decided that it was best to create an entirely new division and explained that her current work was too important for her to head the new project. After two years of operating the program without Roder, Webber soon realized that the membership depart- ment would have to find itself a new leader. “By that time, | was looking for a new chal- lenge,” says Roder. “I felt, after 13 years in membership, that I had come up with all the promotional ideas I was capable of. There was constant pressure to develop new marketing strategies.” Although Roder discovered the challenge she was seeking in the tour program, she did not escape the pressures she thought she had left behind. This time, however, the pressures were self-inflicted. Throughout her years in the tour program, Roder's recipe for success was to give every traveler her undivided personal attention — before and after each trip. When travelers returned home less than ecstatic about their adventures, Roder took it as an indication that she had failed. For example, travelers on the 1994 Arctic JANUARY*FEBRUARY 1998 Waich tour were unexpectedly stranded in Res- olute Bay on the remote Comwallis Island when an ocean fog rolled in and grounded their plane for three days. When the news of the sudden change in itinerary reached Roder, she spent the next 72 hours manning the phones trying desperately to find a way to get her travelers to safety. However, as Roder's hair turned grayer by the hour, her group of arctic explorers was not in the least upset. One woman explained that it was the first time in years that she had time to relax and to read a book. Another traveler used the opportunity to explore the island by taking long morning walks. In organizing and operating more than 226 cultural and environmental tours to every comer of the globe — including Cambodia, Easter Island, China, West Africa, the Grand Canyon and Papua New Guinea — very few travelers under Roder's watch have returned dissatisfied. “All the trips we have taken at The Field Museum have been wonderful, in fact we haven't found an operation as comparable,” says Fern Peterson, who took Museum trips to Egypt, Greece and Russia. “What Dorothy brought was a really personal touch to each tour. On one tour, for example, she met us at the airport and gave us washcloths because she didn’t think the hotels would have them. ” Peterson's sentiments are echoed through- out the Museum. “What Dorothy did was personalize the Museum . . . she did this first in membership and then in tours," remarked President Emeri- tus Sandy Boyd after learning of Roder's retire- ment. “She taught everyone at the Museum to see visitors, travelers and members as individ- uals who deserve our personal attention." Since Roder's unofficial retirement announcement last year, she has been working on an aggressive plan that includes offering twice as many tours and developing occasional trips geared toward a younger crowd. “When I started, my goal was to run a big tour department that would match the one at the American Museum in New York,” explains Roder. “For many years we held back, but now it looks like the Museum has set this in motion. That was my goal all along, and now that I am leaving, it makes me happy to see it is heading in this direction.” IN THE FIELD From ~_~* 286242 he Photo Archives... n this 1950s photograph, Karl P Schmidt, then chief zoology curator, is besieged by helmeted iguanas from Gallon Jug, Belize. Bom in 1890 in Lake Forest, Ill, Schmidt joined the Museum in 1922 as assistant curator of reptiles and retired in 1955 as curator emeritus, Under Schmidt's leadership, the reptile division's collections multiplied tenfold and he is credited with transform- ing the Museum into the most important herpetological center in the world. Ironically, while the scientific community praised him for his innovative research, Schmidt refused to use moder con- veniences like cars, televisions and fountain pens. Legend has it that he purchased a refrigerator only when he no longer could find a place that sold ice blocks. On Sept. 26, 1957, Schmidt died in the Museum after an African boomsland snake he was examining bit him. Schmidt chose to ignore the seriousness of the bite by refusing medical attention. When he realized he was dying, he sat at his desk and calmly took notes about the progression of the symptoms. Museum Campus Nears Completion By Robert Vosper ast Summer, as construction got under way on the new Museum Campus, the 10 acres to the north of the building resembled a battlefield with chunks of concrete and rusted metal strewn around the side of huge crater scarring the middle of the landscape. Dust clouds would periodically whip across the site covering the steps of The Field Museum with a thin coat of yellowish-brown dirt. During the day, the sound of jack hammers and the roar of diesel engines echoed through Stanley Field Hall, But as summer turned to fall, the site rapidly took shape. Construction workers removed the unsightly debris; graded the sides of the crater to form a gentle slope to the shores of Lake Michigan; built winding sidewalks through the area; and set the foun- dations for a belvedere terrace in front of the The Field Museum, By May 1998, the Museum Campus will be finished, creating a seamless connection between The Field Museum, the Adler Plane- tarium and the Shedd Aquarium, The city and IN THE FIELD the three campus museums will celebrate the project's completion with a weekend festival starting June 12, 1998. After the opening, the three museums and the city will collaborate in JANUARY*FEBRUARY 1998 Janvary 1947 In the Hall of Whales, the Museum installed four mural paintings by staff artist Arthur G. Rueckert, The paintings represented the development of “modern” whaling techniques, focusing mainly on whaling froma large factory ship and from a shore station served by smaller boats. Paul Standley, curator of the herbarium, left from New Orleans on the steam ship Junior for his fifth botanical expedition to Central America. Stand- ley's objective was to make a comprehensive col- lection of the flora of Honduras, El Salyador and Nicaragua. peri The Museum displayed 32 photographs of the ancient Inca ruins of Peru, an exhibit sponsored by Life magazine. The photographs were taken by Frank Scherschel — at the time Life’s most tray- eled war photographer. Captain James Leslie Rowe donated chunks of sand fused by the heat of the first atomic bomb dropped during tests in the New Mexico desert. These solid masses resembled impure greenish- brown glass and were reported to be slightly radioactive. February 1947 Members of the 1946 Peruvian Archaeological Expedition returned to the Muséum after a six- month excavation of the Viru Valley on Peru’s north coast. In one excavation trench, the team uncovered remnants of the Chimu people who were conquered by the Incas. e Field Arc a & The Museum reported that attendance increased by about 200,000 from 1945 (1,070,678). Administrators argued that attendance would have been higher if Chicago had not been plagued in 1946 by two coal-strike blackouts and a prolonged bus strike. IG The Field Museum created an introductory dis- play on “The classification of Minerals.” The exhibit was a response to.complaints that muse- ums rarely furnish visitors with the basic informa- _ tion needed to understand exhibits. LO! making the Museum Campus the area's pre- mier outdoor location for cultural activities. The illustration below is an artist's rendition of the finished Museum Campus. SMITHSONIAN INSTIT! ili wh WN 01371 ee The Rockies & Yellowstone June 6-11, 1998 ome of America’s most dramatic scenery unfolds in the West's great mountains, rivers and parks. For six days, you can experience this splendid drama in total comfort aboard a deluxe private train, the American Orient Express. The American Orient Express is a beautifully restored train from the streamliner era of the 1940s and 1950s. In the dining carriages, tables are set with China, silver, crystal and linen, and menus offer a delicious sampling of regional cuisine. By all accounts, it is the ideal way to savor the natural wonders of the Rockies, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. Starting in Denver, the train will progress over the Continental Divide and through the heart of the Colorado Rockies. After a stop in Salt Lake City, the American Orient gate the thermal basins of spouting geysers and the bubbling Express will roll north to the celebrated geysers and wildlife of | mud pots created by the cataclysmic explosion of Yellowstone Yellowstone, the United States’ first national park, and the volcano 600,000 years ago. Toward the south, you will discover rugged splendor of the Tetons. From there it will travel west, the sharp, snow-capped summits of the Teton Range towering across Idaho, into Oregon. The tour includes a thrilling day- above the sagebrush flats and glacial lakes of Jackson Hole time crossing of the Colorado River by rail. valley. During the entire adventure, you will be accompanied Throughout the trip, you will encounter scores of wildlife by expert lecturers and local guides. like deer, moose, elk, bighorn sheep, bear and America’s last The cost of the tour ranges from $2,590 to $5,090, depend- remaining bison, You will also have the opportunity to investi- ing on choice of accommodation. The Galapagos Islands On Board The m.v. Santa Crus March 15 — 27, 1998 harles Darwin's journey aboard the H.M.S. Beagle lasted five years and covered more than 40,000 miles. He spent most of his time sur- veying the South American coast and nearby islands. During the journey, Darwin took exten- sive notes on the region's life forms, and at the end of his travels began questioning previous assumptions about the origin of species. With its diverse and unique creatures, the Galapagos Islands — 600 miles west of the South American mainland — was especially important to Darwin. The beauty and spectacle of these islands have fascinated scientists and amateurs ever since Darwin published his notes more than 100 years ago. Today, it is still a showcase for environ- mental and evolutionary studies. On this Field Museum Tour, you will immedi- ately understand why Darwin was so captivated with the Galapagos archipelago as you travel from island to island aboard the m.v. Santa Cruz, a 90-pas- senger first-class vessel. By hiking, climbing and traveling in pangas (small flat-bottomed, outboard motorboats), you will explore a diversity of environments, from the strange green beaches of Floreana Island to the volcanic rubble of Bartolome Island. Each day, you will meet the islands’ residents that include giant tortoises, ver- milion flycatchers, finches, yellow warblers, sea lions and dolphins. Throughout the tour, you will be joined by David Willard, The Field Museum's collection manager of birds and veteran of the tour program. Please call the tour office for pricing. An optional extension to Peru is _also available. Coming In 1998 : Amazon — August » Turkey — September « e Kenya — September * Tunisia — October * Yemen/Oman — October