April, May, June 2010

T H E D U R HAM M U S E U M
TIMELINES
WHER E GENER
GEN ER ATION
ATIONS
S CONN ECT
Discover
the Power of
Earth’s Forces
Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters Opens May 22
T
hurricanes, and tornados. These phenomena
are the spectacular results of the forces
that drive our ever-changing planet. Nature
Unleashed examines the science behind the
history and headlines and illustrates how
much we know and how much we are still
learning about nature’s terrifying power.
Nature Unleashed focuses on four types
of disasters – earthquakes, volcanoes,
Visitors are in for a memorable and
powerful experience! Witness what it’s like
to stand inside a roaring tornado; trigger
an underwater earthquake and simulate a
tsunami; create a virtual volcano; touch and
examine rock and lava specimens that tell of
past geologic events; discover how people
adapt to living at risk; and be inspired by
he Earth sustains us, protects us,
and makes life possible; but it
also humbles us with its dramatic
power. This summer, The Durham
Museum is pleased to host
Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural
Disasters from Chicago’s Field Museum.
This dynamic exhibition, explores natural
disasters through stunning displays, stateof-the-art animations, poignant, large-scale
images, and cultural artifacts that reveal
the dynamic relationship we have with the
Earth.
the resiliency of disaster survivors. Nature
Unleashed will be on display May 22 –
September 12, 2010 at The Durham Museum.
This exhibition and its national tour were
developed by The Field Museum, Chicago.
National Tour Sponsor:
Sponsored locally by Valmont Industries, Inc.,
HDR, Inc., the Durham Foundation, the Douglas
County Commissioners, First National Bank,
Peter Kiewit Sons’, Inc., the Durham Society, and
Telvent DTN. Media support provided by WOWT
Channel 6.
Opening Day Festivities, Saturday May 22
To help celebrate the opening of Nature Unleashed on May 22, The Durham Museum has
dancing, storytelling, and more! Join us for a Forces of Nature Dance Workshop with
Josie Metal-Corbin, The Wind Blew Storytelling with Dave Johnson and create Windsocks
in the Craft Corner. Visit www.durhammuseum.org for a full description of activities.
Storm Savvy Saturday
Saturday, July 10
Be weather wise with the help of WOWT,
the Red Cross, and OPPD!
When it’s cloudy with a chance of
DISASTER, it’s important to know
what to do! Join us for Storm Savvy
Saturday on July 10 and learn how the
pros predict the weather and how to
prepare for when disaster strikes. Meet
the weather team from WOWT and learn
about weather patterns in our region, take part in the Red Cross’ Masters of
Disaster Program and create your own disaster kit, meet Ernie, the Red Cross’
mascot, and learn from OPPD safety professionals about the importance of
electrical safety. Visit durhammuseum.org for a full listing of Storm Savvy
Saturday activities.
801 South Tenth Street  Omaha, NE 681O8 
@Martin Rietze/AGE Footstock AGE.WES-RM00055
(Volcanic Eruption)
@The Field Museum (Greensburg, KS Stop Sign)
 402.444.5071  www.durhammuseum.org
WWW.DURHAMMUSEUM.ORG
WHERE GENERATIONS CONNECT
UPCOMING EXHIBITS
We Lived It: Nebraska
Storm Stories
May 29 – August 29, 2010
E
very year Nebraska endures severe
weather of all kinds: destructive
tornados, blinding snow storms, and pounding
rains. Some years are worse than others. We
Lived It: Nebraska
Storm Stories
chronicles the
1948/1949
blizzard, 1952 flood,
and 1975 Omaha
tornado. In a
partnership with
Damage caused by the 1975 Omaha
Nebraska
Tornado. From the Omaha Sun
Life Magazine and
collection housed at The Durham
WOWT, The Durham
Museum. Copyright Suburban
Museum has gathered
Newspapers Inc.
stories and objects from witnesses
to these events.
Sponsored by the Nebraska Humanities
Council and the Nebraska Cultural
Endowment.
“NATURE UNLEASHED” SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Wednesday Weather
Workshops
This summer, join us the first Wednesday of each
month in the Mutual of Omaha Theater for special
weather workshops the entire family can enjoy!
June 2, 10AM and 1PM
VOLCANOES! –Join us as we explore the clues that
volcanoes tell about the constant changes of the
earth’s surface, look at pumice, obsidian, and basalt
and even cause your own volcanic eruption!
July 7, 10AM and 1PM
EARTHQUAKES! –There will be a “whole lot of shakin
going on” in this workshop as we learn about plate
tectonics and generate seismic waves with slinkys!
August 4, 10AM and 1PM
HURRICANES! – Discover what it is like to be in the
eye of the storm, learn some of the mysteries behind
hurricanes, and stir-up your own tropical storms!
September 1, 10AM and 1PM
TORNADOS! – During this workshop the fun might
“spiral out of control” as we learn about the science
behind tornados and create your own twisters in a
bottle!
Lasting Light: 125
Years of Grand
Canyon Photography
June 19 –
September 12,
2010
F
or centuries, the
Grand Canyon has
been revered as one
of the most stunning
landscapes on Earth. Lasting Light, coming to
The Durham Museum from the Smithsonian
Institution, features 60 framed photographs
from the late 1800s through present day.
Covering approximately 125 years of
photographic history, the exhibition includes
images of early photographers dangling from
cables to get the perfect shot. More modern
images are bold and dramatic, revealing
both the canyon’s capricious weather and its
subtle features. Lasting Light will leave visitors
inspired by the unforgettable beauty of this
timeless natural wonder.
Lasting Light is sponsored by Mary and John
Wilson.
P
Presented Dr. Randy Cerveny
Thursday, June 3
5PM Light Hors d’oeuvres/Cash Bar; 6:30PM Presentation
Book signing following the presentation
H
ow did climate almost completely destroy humanity 73,000 years ago? What kinds of
weather are we just now discovering? These are a couple of the strange and freakish
weather events that Randy Cerveny will discuss in his presentation based on his newest book,
Weather's Greatest Mysteries Solved! The enlightening presentation will cover an incredible
range of weather and climate stretching from the catastrophic weather that brought an end to
the dinosaurs to a strange project involving the weather of the next 10,000 years and beyond.
Presented by Christopher Amundson and Mike Whye
Saturday, June 5
First-hand accounts of the 1975 Tornado at 11AM
First-hand accounts of the 1948-49 Blizzard at 1PM
J
oin the editor of Nebraska Life Magazine, Christopher Amundson and writer Mike Whye, to
explore first-hand experiences of the 1975 Tornado and the Blizzard of 1948-49! Nebraska
Life Magazine collaborated with The Durham to collect stories from people who lived through
these natural disasters and Amundson and Whye will share their findings. Volunteers from the
American Red Cross who participated as first responders to these storms will also be on hand
to talk about their role and what they observed. If you witnessed these historic storms, we
encourage you to take part in the lively discussion too!
“The VORTEX2 Nomadic Field Study”*
Presented by Dr. Adam Houston
Thursday, July 22
5PM Light Hors d’oeuvres/Cash Bar; 6:30PM Presentation
V
ORTEX2 is by far the largest and most ambitious effort ever made to understand tornados.
Over 100 scientists and more than 40 science and support vehicles are participating in this
unique, fully nomadic, field program. Meet Dr. Adam Houston and learn about the latest finding
from this international research project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Dr. Adam Houston joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) faculty as an assistant
professor in the Department of Geosciences in 2006. Dr. Houston received his Ph.D. in
atmospheric sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his B.S. in
meteorology from Texas A&M University. Dr. Houston's research focus is on cloud-scale and
mesoscale phenomena; specifically those related to severe local storms.
*Due to limited seating, reservations are required. Please call Andrea Boschult at (402) 444-5071
or email [email protected]. Cost of museum admission applies and members are
FREE for all presentations.
Take An Omaha Adventure!
T
he Durham Museum in
partnership with the Omaha
Convention and Visitors Bureau,
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo,
Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha Children’s
Museum, Joslyn Art Museum, Village
Pointe, the Amazing Pizza Machine,
and First National Bank will unveil an
Omaha Adventure coupon book that
will entice you to explore the city!
Join us for the Omaha Adventure
Family Festival and Concert at Village
Pointe on Saturday, May 22 from noon to 8:30PM.
Pick-up your Omaha Adventure Coupon Book filled with more than $50 in
discounts to Top Omaha Attractions. If you can’t attend the Family Festival,
coupon books will be available while supplies last at the participating venues and
First National Bank metro area locations. Visit www.OmahaAdventure.com for
more information.
Summer Day Camps 2010
CAMPS ARE FILLING UP FAST, REGISTER TODAY!
801 SOUTH TENTH STREET ■ OMAHA, NE 68108
402.444.5071 ■ www.durhammuseum.org
Editor: Shawna Forsberg
Design: Keith Kolb
* Offer expires August 31, 2010. $5 offer must be deposited into a new First National
Bank Family First Minor Savings account owned by the seminar attendee. May not
be combined with any other offer. Limit one $5 offer per customer. The $5 offer will
be credited to your new account within 30 days of the initial deposit. The voucher
may not be redeemed for cash. The new account must be open for 90 days to remain
eligible
elig
gible for the $5 offer. The Annual Percentage Yield is variable. As of March 11, 2010
the APY is 0.20%. The rate may also change after the account is opened. Fees may
th
reduce earnings on account. Piggy bank available while supplies last. Member FDIC.
“Weather’s Greatest
Mysteries Solved!”*
January 15 – March 20, 2011
W
To register your child for a seminar, please contact Andrea
Boschult at (402) 444-5071 or [email protected].
LECTURES
“We Lived It!”*
iith Malice
Toward
None: The Abraham
Lincoln Bicentennial
Exhibition
commemorates
the two-hundredth
anniversary of the
birth of the nation’s
revered sixteenth
president. More than a chronological account
of the life of Abraham Lincoln, the exhibition
reveals Lincoln the man, whose thoughts,
words, and actions were deeply affected by
personal experiences and pivotal historic
events. The Durham Museum is the final
location to host this remarkable exhibition
from the Library of Congress.
The national tour is made possible through
the generous support of Union Pacific
Corporation.
Saturday, June 19
Saturday, July 24
Saturday, August 7
Select from four trolley tours including The Magic City, The Gritty City, Millionaires and
Mansions, and From Expositions to Jazz Musicians, Exploring North Omaha’s Heritage. Cost is
$10 for museum members; $15 for non-members. Tour and lunch is $20 for members and $25
for non-members. Visit www.durahmmuseum.org or call (402)444-5027 for tour descriptions
and schedules.
October 2 –
December 26, 2010
With Malice
Toward None:
The Abraham
Lincoln Bicentennial
Exhibition
Children ages eight through 12 are invited to attend (parent
supervision required). Kids’ Banking Seminars will be held at
The Durham Museum from 1-2PM on the following dates:
unch your ticket and hit the streets for a trip back to Omaha in the late 1800’s with River
City History Tours at The Durham Museum. Seekers of the romanticized West would be
advised to keep on moving. This is raw, unfiltered history!
Randy Cerveny is a professor of geographical sciences at Arizona State University, where he has
taught since 1986. He serves as Rapporteur on Extreme Records for the United Nations/World
Meteorological Organization, and in this connection is responsible for researching and verifying
global weather records.
S
It’s never too early to start saving for the future. To help our
children learn the importance of good savings habits, The
Durham Museum is pleased to partner with First National Bank
to host Kids’ Banking Seminars. This financial literacy program
is designed to educate our youth on the importance of saving
and spending wisely. Each child who attends will receive a $5
voucher* to be deposited in a First National Bank Family First
Minor Savings account and a piggy bank, compliments of First
National Bank.
River City
History Tours 2010
Dig it! The
Secrets of Soil
oils are alive. They are
born, they breathe,
they age. Soils
are everywhere. With
public concern about the
environment more
pressing than ever, Dig
it! The Secrets of Soil
explores a vital,
but largely unexplored
natural resource and ecosystem. This
important exhibition invites visitors to think
about this hidden world in a whole new
way. This unique exhibit from the American
Museum of Natural History allows visitors
to unearth the many ways we benefit from
soils and how we affect their health and
productivity.
Create Money-Savvy Kids with
First National Bank
Earthquakes. Tornados. Hurricanes.
Volcanic Eruptions. Tsunamis. See the
science behind nature this summer
at The Durham! Come explore the
extraordinary forces of weather in
Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural
Disasters from Chicago’s Field
Museum. These camps, designed
for children ages 5-12, will highlight
the causes, effects, and historical
significance of the most powerful
storms on our planet.
The Durham will also bring back other
favorites such as Wizard University,
CSI: Durham, Wild, Wild West,
Exploring Omaha, and many theater
and art camps.
Call The Durham Museum’s Education Department at 402-444-5027
or visit www.durhammuseum.org to learn more.
Take a fun
fun-fi
filled
lled, nostalgic trip back to the era of passenger
travel, when riding by rail was king. Join us for this
community-wide celebration of our railroad heritage while
visiting some of the best attractions Omaha and Council Bluffs
have to offer. A $10 family pass provides admission to all five
locations and transportation between locations.
•
•
•
•
•
Lauritzen Gardens
Union Pacific Railroad Museum
RailsWest Railroad Museum
Historic General Dodge House
The Durham Museum
Railroad Days is sponsored by Union Pacific Corporation. Funding for
transportation provided by the Iowa West Foundation.
NEW ENHANCEMENTS “ON TRACK”
FOR STEAMY SUMMER DEBUT
It’s a common site
at The Durham
Museum: standing
on “Platform 1,” a
family stares up
at the enormous,
glossy black steam
engine on display
on the museum’s
trackside level.
They climb up the
staircase and peer
inside, all the while wondering – how does this thing
work?
This summer, visitors will find out. On May 8, The
Durham Museum will install three new permanent
interactive stations located in front of the 1243 steam
locomotive in the Trish and Dick Davidson Gallery. Built
in partnership with the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia,
and funded through a gift from the museum’s On Track
Guild, these hands-on pieces will demonstrate some of
the key technologies steam engines used to help the
railroad expand westward.
“This is a great partnership with the Franklin Institute,”
said Christi Janssen, Executive Director of The Durham
Museum. “These components will be a fun and
educational addition to our exhibits, and something that
visitors of all ages will enjoy.”
The new interactive components are the latest in a
series of enhancements to the museum’s permanent
galleries in recent years. The pieces will also help the
museum better explain Omaha’s railroad heritage.
“Omaha, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the rest of
the western United States, their development began in
the age of steam power,” said Janssen.
For the past several months, the creative team at The
Durham worked with the Franklin Institute and Lynch
Exhibits in Burlington, New Jersey to create a set of
displays specific to steam locomotive technology.
Located at the far west end of the museum’s track, the
three steam components demonstrate how pressurized
steam creates power, how the power is transferred to
the wheels, and how the wheel design keeps the trains
from de-railing. The Durham Museum’s On Track Guild
provided the financial support necessary to develop the
exhibits and bring them to Omaha.
“We are so grateful for the hard work and generosity
of the On Track Guild,” said Janssen. “This is just a
tremendous gift for museum visitors, something that
our guests will be able to enjoy again and again.”
MAY 2O10
THE DURHAM MUSEUM
There is always something exciting going
on at The Durham Museum!
May
Boy Scouts
2010/2011
January 16 – May 30
We Lived it:
Nebraska Storm
Stories
May 29 – August 29
Focusing on three natural disasters in
Nebraska, this fascinating exhibition
will include first person account
storm survivor stories.
July
January
Nature Unleashed:
Inside Natural Disasters
May 22 – September 12
Earthquakes. Tornados. Hurricanes. Volcanic eruptions.
Tsunamis. This fascinating and interactive exhibition from
Chicago’s Field Museum explores these immense forces
of geology and weather and how they shaped the planet
and our world.
©Carsten Peter/National Geographic Image Collection hres.NGS.
MM6880_0006 (Tim Samaras Storm-chasing.)
Lasting Light: 125 Years of
Grand Canyon Photography
Railroad Days
June 19 – September 12
July 17 & 18
For centuries, the Grand Canyon
has been revered as one of the most
stunning landscapes on Earth. This
Smithsonian Institution exhibition
features photography from the late
1800s to present day.
Celebrate our region’s rich railroad heritage and
spend the day visiting some of the best railroadthemed attractions that Omaha and Council
Bluffs have to offer at Railroad Days 2010.
Dig It!
October 2 –
December 26
Soils are alive.
They are born,
they breathe,
they age. Soils
are everywhere.
Utilizing handson learning, Dig
It! The Secrets of
Soil introduces visitors to the vital, but
largely unexplored natural resource and
ecosystem.
Come explore the last 100
years of scouting! The
exhibition chronicles stories
and experiences from the
formation of Boy Scouts in
1910 to present day.
Aksarben
Coronations
September 25 –
January 2, 2011
In recognition
of one of
the region’s
premier
philanthropic
organizations,
the Knights of
Ak-Sar-Ben,
the exhibition celebrates
the origin and vibrant
history of the Ak-Sar-Ben
coronation ball.
100 Yards of Glory:
Omaha’s Football Greats
September 11 – November 14
This latest installment of exhibitions based
on the Omaha Sports Hall of Fame will
celebrate our region’s extraordinary
football heritage.
Christmas
at Union
Station
November 26 –
January 2, 2011
Christmas at Union
Station is an Omaha
tradition dating back
more than 75 years. Be
sure to join us for this annual celebration!
With Malice Toward None:
The Abraham Lincoln
Bicentennial Exhibition
January 15 – March 20, 2011
In commemoration of the twohundredth anniversary of the birth of
the nation’s revered sixteenth president,
this exhibition reveals Lincoln the man,
whose thoughts, words, and actions
were deeply affected by personal
experiences and pivotal historic events.
801 South Tenth Street  Omaha, NE 681O8 
Schoolhouse to White
House: The Education of
the Presidents
January 15 - March 27, 2011
Focusing on the early education of American
Presidents from Herbert Hoover through George
W. Bush, the family-friendly School House to White House exhibition
engages visitors of every age and interest. Documents and photos drawn
from the collections of the National Archives Presidential Libraries reveal
fascinating details about children that would grow up to be presidents.
 402.444.5071  www.durhammuseum.org