Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Behind the Scenes at the Museum of Natural History
Today we had an anomalous opportunity to get a look behind the scenes at the Museum of Natural History. This is a chance that is rare and that few students will ever see. After we meandered the butterfly observatory, and the lizards and snakes exhibits, we met up with Lou Sorkin, who was our sherpa guide to the hinterlands of the museum--the place that most people never get to go! We were lucky enough to have an "in", as Lou works with Marc in one of his other enterprises, Insects Are Food. Although we did not eat any bugs during this visit, we did get to see tarantulas and other specimens, which the Museum of Natural History uses to conduct research--a rather illusive and unknown property of this prestigious museum. Lou was extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of entomology, expertly answering every question posed and then some. He's a real gem, both in New York and the world over (as a researcher, bedbug specialist, et. all), so we're very fortunate that, on this trip, we've gotten to see the inner workings of various organizations such as this--the unknowns of New York. We walked through hallways that were lined with the special treasures and former exhibitions of the museum. As you may know, certain objects can only be on display for so long until it compromises the work, so it must be rotated in and out of exhibition. These cabinets are where this goes.A special thanks to Lou for getting us a more informed view of part of the art and bug world.
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