November 2008 | December 2008 | January 2009

Carnegie Museum of Natural History is committed to providing a wide range of lectures, workshops, and classes that tie in with our exhibits and special events.  Check these pages often for updates!

Adult Programs | Free Activities for Families | Tours for Schools & Groups

Born of Fire: The Life and Pottery of Margaret Tafoya
Through January 4, 2009

Considered a master of her art, Margaret Tafoya was the last of the matriarchs of the early 20th century pueblo potters. Inspired by tales from her parents and grandparents, Margaret, as well as her mother, was known for her ability to make unusually large storage and water jars made in the tradition of her ancestors.

Born of Fire: The Life and Pottery of Margaret Tafoya is the first ever east coast exhibition and features over 75 pieces created by Margaret and her mother, daughters, and rare early works from Santa Clara Pueblo from which Margaret was inspired.

First Annual Powdermill Turkey Trot
November 28, 2008
This event will be held at Powdermill Nature Reserve in Rector, PA

Come join Powdermill naturalists for a brisk trail hike to burn off those excess calories and make room for leftovers! There will be activities for kids, and a lecture on the natural and American cultural history of the wild turkey, the bird Ben Franklin thought should be our National Symbol.

We will have a live turkey, or two, on hand for all to see up close the beauty of these regal birds. Get more information and directions to Rector, PA on the Powdermill Web site.

Hikes: 10 am and 12 noon
Talks: 11 am and 1 pm

Really like turkeys and/or Ben Franklin? Check out our American Turkey online exhibit!

Insects, Ink & Inklings: Illustrations by Jane Hyland
Through 2008
Third Floor Exhibits Foyer

Jane Hyland, scientific preparator and illustrator for Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Section of Invertebrate Zoology, will be exhibiting her most recent artwork examining the complex and fascinating anatomy of moths.

In addition to these works, moth specimens from the collection will be on display in five wall-mounted insect cases which will juxtapose Hyland’s scientific illustrations with the research moth specimens, which were collected from many parts of the world.

Embark on an expedition to the bottom of an ice-covered ocean – thirty photographs and other media take you on an icebreaking ship through the frozen Arctic world, and give you a first-ever look at mysterious undersea mountains near the North Pole.

Deep beneath Arctic ice and miles of sunless water lie what are arguably the remotest places on earth: awe-inspiring ranges of unexplored volcanic mountains more foreign than the surface of Mars. Color photographs, a computer kiosk, and a 3-D model of underwater mountains portray this expedition’s quest, its exploratory equipment, and the extraordinary work of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists.

Free Family Activities

Free with Museum admission. Check at any Information desk for a list of the day's events!

Arresting Arrangements - Photos by Craig Cutler
Through 2008
Entrance Gallery, First Floor

This exhibit features 20 large-scale photos by New York photographer Craig Cutler. Craig documented the remounting of Carnegie Museum of Natural History dinosaurs last year at Phil Fraley Productions. Craig’s photos capture the curious juxtaposition of dinosaur parts and human intervention as still life. Many of the photos include the rigging apparatuses for staging and re-posturing the multitude of fragile fossil parts.

Time Machines: Watches from the H.J. Heinz Collection
Through 2008
Wertz Gallery, Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems

Pittsburgh ketchup and sauce magnate H.J. Heinz (1844-1919) amassed an extensive collection of timepieces during his lifetime. These chronometers offer an array of incredible artistry and amazing mechanical ingenuity.

Through this collection, it is possible to study the evolution of watches as machines, tracing the steps in development from portable sundial to more modern sophisticated mechanical watches. Examples include a gold mechanical “repeating watch” with figures that strike the hour; a watch owned by Lord Nelson, the hero of the Battle of Trafalgar; and a music box watch with a feathered singing bird.

The Heinz Collection is regarded as one of the most important timepiece collections in the United States. H.J. Heinz donated the collection to Carnegie Museum of Natural History in 1917.

Born of Fire: The Life and Pottery of Margaret Tafoya
Through January 4, 2009

Considered a master of her art, Margaret Tafoya was the last of the matriarchs of the early 20th century pueblo potters. Inspired by tales from her parents and grandparents, Margaret, as well as her mother, was known for her ability to make unusually large storage and water jars made in the tradition of her ancestors.

Born of Fire: The Life and Pottery of Margaret Tafoya is the first ever east coast exhibition and features over 75 pieces created by Margaret and her mother, daughters, and rare early works from Santa Clara Pueblo from which Margaret was inspired.

Embark on an expedition to the bottom of an ice-covered ocean – thirty photographs and other media take you on an icebreaking ship through the frozen Arctic world, and give you a first-ever look at mysterious undersea mountains near the North Pole.

Deep beneath Arctic ice and miles of sunless water lie what are arguably the remotest places on earth: awe-inspiring ranges of unexplored volcanic mountains more foreign than the surface of Mars. Color photographs, a computer kiosk, and a 3-D model of underwater mountains portray this expedition’s quest, its exploratory equipment, and the extraordinary work of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists.

Overnight Adventures
Overnight times are from Friday, 6:30 p.m. to Saturday, 10 a.m. Orientation for the evening begins at 7 p.m. on Friday.

CSI
December 5
Join the CSI (Carnegie Science Investigation) Team as an overnight detective to help us figure out who stole the artifacts. From collecting clues at the scene of the crime to dusting for fingerprints and analyzing DNA evidence in our lab, you’re sure to develop some new sleuthing skills as you help us crack this case!

Overnight Adventures include hands-on activities, an evening snack, a continental breakfast, an embroidered patch, and visits to the Natural History Store and Discovery Room in the morning. Some adventures may include an Earth Theater show or special guest appearances. Don’t forget to explore the other exhibit areas with your free admission the next day.

$35 per person—includes $10 non-refundable deposit due within 30 days of booking. One adult for every five children. Campers must be at least 5 years old. To make a reservation, contact Group Visits at (412) 622-3289 or GroupVisits@CarnegieMuseums.org. To inquire about private overnights for groups, contact Angie Stokes at (412) 622-3238 or StokesA@CarnegieMNH.org.

Meet the Scientists
Saturday, December 13

On the second Saturday of each month, meet a different Carnegie Museum of Natural History scientist in one of our permanent exhibit halls for an informal discussion of the Museum's collections and on-going research. Free with museum admission, registration not required.

The Boy from Abydos: Secrets of His Life and Death
Dr. Sandra Olsen, Curator of Anthropology
Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt, Third Floor
1 p.m.

Join Dr. Sandra Olsen on a journey of discovery. A Ptolemaic mummy, dating to between 304–250 BC and acquired by CMNH in 1911, underwent a CT scan to reveal its age, sex, stature, and health condition. Elaborate mortuary practices performed on his body are also documented in the scans. Learn just what these scans reveal, including what serious illness plagued this small boy.

Winter Vacation at Powdermill
December 21, 2008
This event will be held at Powdermill Nature Reserve in Rector, PA

Send the kids over to Powdermill for a day of fun activities. We will be making wreaths, taking hikes, and giving natural history presentations throughout the day.

Get more information and directions to Rector, PA on the Powdermill Web site.

Image: Squirrel in winter pine. Mark A. Klingler.

Free Family Activities

Free with Museum admission. Check at any Information desk for a list of the day's events!

Insects, Ink & Inklings: Illustrations by Jane Hyland
Through December 2008
Third Floor Exhibits Foyer

Jane Hyland, scientific preparator and illustrator for Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Section of Invertebrate Zoology, will be exhibiting her most recent artwork examining the complex and fascinating anatomy of moths.

In addition to these works, moth specimens from the collection will be on display in five wall-mounted insect cases which will juxtapose Hyland’s scientific illustrations with the research moth specimens, which were collected from many parts of the world.

Born of Fire: The Life and Pottery of Margaret Tafoya
Last Day: January 4, 2009

Considered a master of her art, Margaret Tafoya was the last of the matriarchs of the early 20th century pueblo potters. Inspired by tales from her parents and grandparents, Margaret, as well as her mother, was known for her ability to make unusually large storage and water jars made in the tradition of her ancestors.

Born of Fire: The Life and Pottery of Margaret Tafoya is the first ever east coast exhibition and features over 75 pieces created by Margaret and her mother, daughters, and rare early works from Santa Clara Pueblo from which Margaret was inspired.

Embark on an expedition to the bottom of an ice-covered ocean – thirty photographs and other media take you on an icebreaking ship through the frozen Arctic world, and give you a first-ever look at mysterious undersea mountains near the North Pole.

Deep beneath Arctic ice and miles of sunless water lie what are arguably the remotest places on earth: awe-inspiring ranges of unexplored volcanic mountains more foreign than the surface of Mars. Color photographs, a computer kiosk, and a 3-D model of underwater mountains portray this expedition’s quest, its exploratory equipment, and the extraordinary work of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists.

Overnight Adventures
Overnight times are from Friday, 6:30 p.m. to Saturday, 10 a.m. Orientation for the evening begins at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Night at the Movies
January 16
Join the CSI (Carnegie Science Investigation) Team as an overnight detective to help us figure out who stole the artifacts. From collecting clues at the scene of the crime to dusting for fingerprints and analyzing DNA evidence in our lab, you’re sure to develop some new sleuthing skills as you help us crack this case!

CSI
January 23
Join the CSI (Carnegie Science Investigation) Team as an overnight detective to help us figure out who stole the artifacts. From collecting clues at the scene of the crime to dusting for fingerprints and analyzing DNA evidence in our lab, you’re sure to develop some new sleuthing skills as you help us crack this case!

Dino-ROAR!
January 30
Travel back in time to spend the evening in the world of the dinosaurs! Learn more about our Mesozoic marvels as you take part in a variety of hands-on dinosaur activities, games, tours, and creative projects. No bones about it—this is your best opportunity to explore Dinosaurs in Their Time up close!

$35 per person. Please visit the Overnight Adventures page at http://www.carnegiemnh.org/doe/programs/overnight.htm for complete scheduling and reservation information.

Free Family Activities

Free with Museum admission. Check at any Information desk for a list of the day's events!