Field Museum of Natural History

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The Field Museum of Natural History, in Chicago, Illinois, USA, sits on Lake Shore Drive next to Lake Michigan, part of a scenic complex known as Museum Campus Chicago.

The architecture of this building typifies the style initiated by the World's Columbian Exposition of the 1890s. It was named the Columbian Museum of Chicago in September 16, 1893, but renamed after Marshall Field, a donor, in 1905. The museum was originally housed in the structure now occupied by the Museum of Science and Industry. The current location is a building that opened in 1921.

For some years in the 1950s and 1960s it was officially known as the "Chicago Natural History Museum", but eventually the still-popular name "Field Museum" was restored.

The Museum is organized into four major departments: Anthropology, Zoology, Botany, and Geology.

Some prized exhibits at The Field Museum include:

Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil skeleton currently known.
A comprehensive set of human cultural anthropology exhibits, including artifacts from ancient Egypt, the Pacific Northwest, and Tibet.
A large and diverse taxidermy collection featuring many large animals, including two prized African elephants, and the infamous Lions of Tsavo featured in the 1996 movie "The Ghost and the Darkness".

1 Sue the Dinosaur
2 Research and Education
3 Permanent Exhibits
4 Temporary Exhibits
5 Upcoming Exhibits
6 Gallery
7 External links

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Sue the Dinosaur

Image:Sue at Field Museum.jpg On May 17, 2000 the Field Museum unveiled Sue, the largest, most complete, and best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex fossil yet discovered. Sue is 45 feet long, stands 13 feet high at the hips and is 67 million years old. The fossil was named Sue after the paleontologist who found it — Sue Hendrickson. Sue is a permanent feature at the Field Museum. Sue's body is located on the main floor in the Stanley Field Hall. Her head was too heavy to be mounted on the rest of the body, so it is located on a second floor balcony. There is no additional charge to see the exhibit.

Sue with recreated head, 2005

Sue's original head, 2005

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Research and Education

The Field Museum is a leader in international research. The Museum currently has over 20 million specimens in its collections. It is currently working on digitizing its collection so that other scientists and the public have better access to specimens. Other work includes a joint effort between Chicago, London, and Baghdad to catalog artifacts located at the three museums that came from Kish, which is a 5,000 year old city south of Baghdad. The Museum's library comprises more than 250,000 volumes.

The Harris Educational Loan Program began in 1911. It works with area schools and families to increase education. Hundreds of items can be borrowed from the Program by teachers and parents for use outside the Museum.

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Permanent Exhibits

There are many permanent exhibits located at the Field Museum for the public to enjoy. Many animal specimens are on display in the Nature Walk, Mammals of Asia, Mammals of Africa, and several other exhibits. Visitors can get an up close look at the different habitats that hundreds of animals live in.

The Grainger Hall of Gems features a large collection of diamonds and gems from around the world, even a Tiffany stained glass window. The Hall of Jades focuses on the way that the Chinese used Jade for eight thousand years.

Two laboratories in the museum can be viewed by the public through glass windows. In the MacDonald's Prep Lab the public can watch as paleontologists prepare real fossils for study. The Regenstein Laboratory is a 1,600 square foot conservation and collections facility. Visitors can watch as conservators work to preserve and study objects from all over the world.

Underground Adventure 'shrinks' visitors to the size of a penny. They will get to see what insects and soil look like from that size. School groups and families will learn about the soil's biodiversity and the importance of healthy soil. There is an additional charge to see the exhibit.

Inside Ancient Egypt offers a glimpse into what life was like for ancient Egyptians. Twenty-three human mummies are on display, as well as many animal mummies. The Exhibit features a tomb that visitors can go in - complete with 5,000 year old hieroglyphs. There are many interactive displays for both children and adults.

The Museum has a Native American Indian exhibit, with totem poles and traditional costumes. The area is partially under construction, but many artifacts are still on display. Located within the exhibit is the newly reconstructed Pawnee Earth Lodge. Visitors to the lodge will learn what life was like for the Pawnee. It has proven to be one of the largest attractions for the Museum, especially for school groups.

For many years the Museum was well known for its Life Over Time exhibit. The exhibit included information on evolution and contained most of the dinosaurs fossils that could be viewed by the public. Contained within this exhibit are the murals of Charles R. Knight, the first artist to capture dinosaurs in as life-like a manner as was possible in his time (the 20-ft mural Triceratops vs. Tyrannosaurus is familiar worldwide). The exhibit is currently closed for reconstruction and renovation, but will reopen under a new name, Evolving Planet, on March 10, 2006. This renovated exhibit will examine the evolution of life over 4 billion years, from the first organism to present day life. It will also feature an expanded dinosaur hall with dinosaurs from every era.

Other exhibits include exhibits on Tibet and China where visitors can view traditional clothing. There is an exhibit on life in Africa, where visitors can learn about the many different cultures on the continent, and an exhibit where visitors may visit several Pacific Islands. The museum houses an authentic 19th century Maori Meeting House, Ruatepupuke, from Tokomoru Bay, New Zealand.

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Temporary Exhibits

The Field Museum always has several temporary exhibits on display. Most are opened 6 to 11 months and can vary in subject matter.

Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption is open from October 22, 2005 - March 26, 2006. The exhibit details the events that occurred in the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis, and Terzingno after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Objects on display include casts from human remains, household items, and jewelry found near the human remains. There is an additional charge for this exhibit.

Dinosaur Dynasty: Discoveries from China is open from May 27, 2005 - April 23, 2006. The exhibit includes several dinosaurs from China, as well as two nests with eggs. It is an exciting chance to see new and unusual dinosaurs that are not often seen in the United States of America. The dinosaurs span the 165 million years they lived in present day China. There is an additional charge for this exhibit.

Jungles is open from May 27, 2005 - March 5, 2006. The exhibit is comprised of photographs taken by Frans Lanting over the past twenty years. The photos show the beauty of the rainforests in places such as Borneo, Brazil, and Madagascar.

Transforming Tradition: Pottery from Mata Ortiz is open from July 1, 2005 - May 31, 2006. The exhibit presents the work of contemporary artists from Mata Ortiz who have revived the art of painted ceramic vessels. The current potters base their designs and styles off of ancient pots found in a cave in the region. The pottery has helped to bring wealth to the town of Mata Ortiz. Over twenty vessels, donated by Leo and Lois Damkroger, are on display.

Design Innovations in Manufactured Housing is open from February 4, 2005 - January 16, 2006. This exhibits examines the history of manufactured housing and the ways it has changed through the years.

Trash to Treasure: Salvage Archaeology in the Field Museum's Backyard. The Field Museum rests on rubble from the Great Chicago Fire. During recent construction at the Museum many artifacts have been found. The findings prompted the opening of this exhibit.

Insects: 105 Years of Collecting. The Field Museum has one of the largest collections of insects in the world. This exhibit displays some of the most interesting pieces in the collection, along with stories from collectors.

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Upcoming Exhibits

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs is open from May 26, 2006 - January 1, 2007. This is one of the most exciting exhibits to come to the Field Museum. The exhibit will contain 130 artifacts, including many from the Valley of the Kings. The artifacts are between 3,300 and 3,500 years old. Fifty of the objects are from King Tutankhamun's tomb, including his crown.

Gregor Mendel: Genius of Genetics is open from September 15, 2006 - April 1, 2007. This exhibit will examine the ground breaking work of Gregor Mendel. Visitors will be able to see his original manuscripts and scientific equipment.

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