A Sneek Peek at The Cave and Karst Experience

OWENSBORO MUSEUM
OF
S C I E N C E AND H I S T O R Y
122 East 2nd Street • Owensboro, KY 42303 • 270.687.2732
Winter 2009
Museum Receives IMPACT100 Owensboro Grant!
The Museum sincerely thanks IMPACT100 Owensboro
members for their gift and ongoing commitment to our
community. What an amazing group of women!
Kudos to the other 2009 finalists: The Owensboro
Symphony, Owensboro Family Y and ARC. Together, we are
all making a true difference in the lives of the citizens of
Owensboro/Daviess County and throughout our region!
IMPACT100 Owensboro awarded one of two $106,000
grants to the Owensboro Museum of Science and History.
A Sneek Peek at
The Cave and Karst
Experience...
Construction on the new 1st Floor Natural
History Gallery begins in February and will
continue throughout the spring and
summer. During construction the first floor
gallery area will be closed- but the wait will
be worth it!
As visitors enter the new gallery they’ll be
surrounded by a wooded pathway. Seasonal
nature sounds, such as the call of various
birds, tree frogs and cicadas will fill the air.
Visitors might notice the faint smell of the
woods as they enjoy their walk. A special
toddler trail, made up of height-specific
activities and “surprises” will be sprinkled
throughout the path. The entire gallery will
transition to a nighttime setting, perfect for
evening flashlight tours where some of our
region’s nocturnal species will spring to life,
a guaranteed big hit for the adventurer in
everyone’s house!
Inside
The grant funds the “Impact for the Future Admissions
Endowment Program”, which assists in underwriting field
trips and visitation for under-privileged students.
It also funds the fabrication and installation of “The Cave
and Karst Experience”, a major portion of the new first floor
natural history gallery -ORIGINS. Theatre Workshop of
Owensboro was the recipient of the additional $106,000
award.
Explore
Our Cave
Along this interactive
walk, visitors will discover
how our watershed works
to form the limestone caves
of Kentucky and within a
natural (but contained!)
setting, the museum’s own
resident corn snake and
other reptiles will once
again greet the public. But
the fun will just be
beginning - everyone will
become an explorer as
they twist and turn through
The Cave and Karst
Experience! Stalactites,
stalagmites, a sinkhole in
the cave’s roof and the sounds of trickling
water will greet the museum’s spelunkers.
The biology of caves and the importance of
Kentucky’s cave ecosystems will come to
life, perhaps through interaction with the
resident cave crickets and other critters.
Human stories, from Native American lore
to 19th Century mysteries will surround and
challenge our curious explorers. The cave
exit will even lead visitors to a limestone
overhang where they will discover a
Paleolithic Indian archeological site and
interactive dig!
This and more will be contained in our
ORIGINS Natural History Gallery – a
gallery devoted to telling the story of
Kentucky’s, and especially Daviess
County’s, natural world!
The
Coal Mine
Gallery
Owensboro Christmas Cards!
The Coal
Mine
Gallery!
Just in time for the holidays, our
long-awaited Coal Mine Gallery will
open its doors! It’s time to put on
your hard hat (provided by OMSH of
course!) and travel down to The Coal
Mine! Museum visitors will learn
more about how a coal is formed,
the history of coal mining in Western
Kentucky and how we use coal.
Other special features include an
introduction to the safety features of
modern coal mines, a trip through
the recreated historic Rudy Mine
once located in Bon Harbor and the
future of clean coal technologies.
Join us for this exciting moment in
your museum’s growth. You might
even get “a lump of coal” for
Christmas!
NEW
Hands-On exhibits in ENCOUNTER
Genomics eXplorer
Traveling Exhibit
Created by Purdue University and
sponsored by Owensboro Medical
Health System, Genomics explorer
takes you into the world of DNA
and Biotechnology. Visitors can
walk through a plant cell, play DNA
computer games and much more!
It’s the perfect family experience for
the holidays!
Genomics eXplorer closes on
January 4, 2010.
New interactive physical science exhibits with themes of Energy, Optics and Sound
are coming to ENCOUNTER. The museum has contracted Murphy Catton Exhibits
to design and fabricate the exhibits. Our own Curator of Exhibits, Chris Norton, is
building some of the designs. All of these changes are thanks to the support of The
Ryan Foundation,.
Special Monday Night Programs in December
Monday evenings from 5-7 p.m. in December just got cozier! On December 7th,
14th and 21st, join us for some very special Star Lab shows featuring The Polar
Express. Kids can wear their pajamas or join us before/after a skate at RiverPark
Center’s Winter Wonderland. The Museum’s StarLab becomes a “special igloo” as
patrons listen to the story of The Polar Express, complete with music and photos. A
make-and-take craft, hot cocoa and cookies will complete the evening. The program
is free with your $3 admission or museum membership. Patrons are also invited to
take advantage of the Museum’s extended Monday evening hours and visit our
traveling exhibit Genomics Explorer or play in the Owensboro Rotary PlayZeum.
To receive this newsletter by email, go to www.owensboromuseum.com
Concert Curators To Invade
Museum on January 30!
Concert Curators, a childcare program that includes a
musical activity, a snack, and a craft during Owensboro
Symphony Orchestra concerts will again be offered the
evening of January 30, 7-10 p.m! Young “curators” three
through ten will have museum discovery time , a story
session and musical activities. KWC music students assist
our staff with this entertaining and educational program.
This is the only program of its kind in the country, and
recognized nationally by the League of American Orchestras.
How do you participate? It’s simple – just sign up at the
Museum of Science and History no later than Friday noon
prior to each concert.
Symphony subscribers and/or Museum members receive
a discounted rate of $8 per child. A non-subscribers rate
is $10 per child.
For additional information call the Museum at
270. 687.2732 or visit www.owensboromuseum.com.
Quick Calendar
Dec. 1 – “The L&N Railroad” historical Panel Exhibit
Dec. 5 – First Lego League Regional Competition @ OCTC
Dec. 7, 14, 21 – Polar Express programs in StarLab
Dec. 12 – Racing for Christmas Wish
Holiday Stroll
Dec. 25/26 – Christmas Break-closed
Dec. 27-30 - Winter Break Activities
Dec. 31 - Noon Year’s Eve
Jan. 1 –New Year’s Day-closed
Jan. 18 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance
“Follow the Drinking Gourd”
Starlab programs open
Feb. 3 – “Breaking Barriers: African American Women of
Kentucky” Panel Exhibit
Feb. 6 – Stones and Bones Goes Global Fundraiser
Feb. 8 – Natural History Exhibit installation begins
Gift Shop!
Our Museum Store is full of special Kentucky products
and unique Christmas Gifts. Treat someone on your list to
a one-of-a kind piece of furniture created by artisan Wayne
Naylor, our new SilverForest earrings, our popular
Kentucky Bourbon Candles or Kentucky Crafted ornaments
- we even have ornaments made from coal!
Back for its 21st year, an Owensboro tradition continues
with Rex Robinson’s Official City of Owensboro 2009
Christmas Card! Our Museum Store is proud to be the
home of these keepsakes and the cards are now on sale for
8.95 (10/pkg) or $16.00 for two packages.
Winter Break Bash
The Museum comes alive with Winter Break excitement!
Sunday, Dec 27 “The Science of Cold” and our famous
Liquid Nitrogen shows
Monday, Dec 28 Junior League of Owensboro presents
“Kids in the Kitchen”
Tuesday, Dec 29 DNA Family Fun Day
Wednesday, Dec 30 Dr. Lowell Shank’s Chemistry
Magic Show-Kaboom!
Thursday, Dec 31 Noon Year’s Eve Celebration!
Kentucky Down Under presents
their special animal shows
Ever see a balloon shrink and re-inflate on its own or
make your own instant ice cream?
Join us for Owensboro Junior League’s “Kids in the
Kitchen” a day full of fun activities and special treats
just for you! Our DNA Fun Day returns by popular
demand, along with Dr. Lowell Shank’s Chemistry
Magic Show. You will also make a fruit smoothie and
much more in our Budding Biotech Lab! Plus we’ll have
a special visit from Kentucky Down Under and wrap
up 2009 with a bang at our 3rd annual Noon Year’s Eve
Celebration!
Feb. 8-26 – Black History Month programs
Mar. 5 – “Women Working for Change” Panel Exhibit
For more information go to www.owensboromuseum.com
OWENSBORO MUSEUM
OF
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
OWENSBORO, KY.
42301
PERMIT #150
S C I E N C E AND H I S T O R Y
122 East 2nd Street
Owensboro, KY 42303
Return Service Requested
Behind The Sce
nes
We are currently ga
thering artifacts/sto
ries for the new
River Heritage Histo
ry Gallery. If you or
anyone you
know have photogra
phs, documents an
d/or stories
from Ken-Rad/Gene
ral Electric we woul
d like to display
them. We are lookin
g for uniforms of an
y type and
sporting league phot
ographs from the Ge
neral Electric
plants. If you have
items of interest ca
ll or email
Kathy Olson, 270.68
7.2732 or
kolson@owensborom
useum.com!
Coming In Spring...
• March 14 Pi-Day (Thank you Pizza by the Guy)
• Spring Break activities April 5th – 9th
• Sneak Peek - Adventures in Agriculture
It’ Groovy Baby!
Stones and Bones
Goes Global
GLOBAL - Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery
Noon Year’s Eve!
On Thursday, December 31 join the Museum of Science and
History as we celebrate the New Year just a bit early!
Beginning at 10am, little patrons can have their faces painted,
create a party hat and make a special New Year’s noisemaker! Dr.
Lowell Shank from WKU will entertain and fascinate the crowd
with his Chemistry Magic Show…it’s full of facts, pops, fizzes and
kabooms! At 11:55am, we’ll gather in the Mammoth Lobby for a
countdown to 12:00….Noon that is complete with a balloon drop
and our own “indoor firecrackers”!
It’s the perfect family celebration full of fun and surprise. Happy
Noon Year’s!
Put on your vintage 60’s and 70’s clothes or just
something comfortable and join us on Saturday evening,
February 6, 2010 for the region’s most happinin’ party!
This year’s theme reflects the global cuisine offered on
our renowned dinner buffet. The evening begins with
cocktails & delectable cheeses, fruits and appetizers from
6:30 – 7:00 pm with the tunes of Doc Harris. At 7:00 pm,
our time travelers will be treated to hearty Italian, Indian
and Asian dishes along with Sally Davenport’s famous
gumbo and a few surprise delights. Our delectable dessert
table will be loaded with goodies and an open bar will be
offered throughout the evening.
But wait, the fun won’t stop with the great food! The
museum will be bursting with blasts from the past, from a
special 60’s photo-op station to our 70’s disco and more!
Tickets are a bargain at $35 per person, reservations can
be made by calling the museum at 270.687.2732. See
you in February!