It is with great pleasure that we announce the University of Iowa Office of the Vice President for Research has officially named Liz Crooks as our new permanent director. Crooks embodies fearless leadership, as seen throughout her previous year in the role on an interim basis. The museums are both proud and relieved to now have her firmly in place.

 

"I feel honored to be chosen as the permanent director for the museums and I'm eager to continue the work undertaken over the last year," Crooks said. "I am grateful to the Office of the Vice President for this opportunity and its trust in me."

The Hageboeck Hall of Birds at the Museum of Natural History will be introducing a new exhibit later this summer: Birdies'-Eye View. This interactive exhibit for littles learning about birds was created with our Pre-K visitors in mind and is quite literally from their point of view: low to the ground. 

 

 

Birdies'-Eye View uses bright and colorful displays to encourage interaction with research collections, establishing a foundational interest in birds and the natural world, museums, and science. Visitors will be able to learn about the featured bird of the month, compare their wingspan to that of their favorite bird, learn what local Iowa birds sound like and more.

 

The installation is underway. We expect to officially debut the exhibit in its completion in July. Stay tuned!

 

10 National Science Foundation grant recipients from all around the world are visiting students at the University of Iowa in a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program this summer. The REU students have paired up with various UI faculty mentors in their labs which all focus on some aspect of Evolutionary Science. From viruses to bees, mussels (from our own historic collection) to fossils, their research is fascinating.

UIPM's Communication Coordinator Jessica Smith is teaching the students about the importance of science communication in fun and accessible ways during their stay. "Research is incredibly important to all of us; it can save lives, entire populations, even the planet! Effective communication that helps the public understand and care about research is imperative. Museums have a relevant take on how to do this and we're thrilled to have the chance to share it with these students."

Each student in Smith's class will produce a short video that will share their personal story, the research they've been invited to work on at the University of Iowa, and why it's important on the broader scale. The class will share their work with the public at a film screening later this summer, to which you're invited. More on that event soon.

Yay! The Free Movie Series is back! Each week this summer, a full-length film will be projected for all to enjoy on the Pentacrest, right outside of the Museum of Natural History.

Last Saturday we were honored to host the  Rhomberg/Levins wedding in the Museum of Natural History. The couple exchanged vows before their guests in Iowa Hall before making their way up to the Hageboeck Hall of Birds to sign their official papers and take a few photos in the Laysan Island Cyclorama. Lastly, they joined the party reception in Mammal Hall. 

UIPM Events and Operations Coordinator Shereena Honary misses no detail in her preparations for the couples she works with. Checklist under-wing, energetic staff by her side, a strict eye for detail: she books, organizes, and facilitates weddings in both the Old Capitol Museum and the Museum of Natural History. 

"I've run so many weddings and I've never not cried," Shereena told us, laughing through tears of joy. "I just love seeing two people share their love with the people who love them. I'm honored that it's my job to make that happen for them in our beautiful museum spaces."  You can catch Shereena on the next episode of The BIG little Museum Radio Show next week on KICI FM 105.3 in Iowa City.

  Visit our website or contact Shereena Honary to book YOUR wedding or any special event at the Pentacrest Museums. Oh! And, hey! If you were married in one of our museums, send a photo to us and tell us about your special day. We'd love to share it. <3

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Tuesdays 8:30 AM

Thursday 6 PM

If you follow us on social media, you know we're celebrating Iowa Museum Week (June 10-16) in a few different ways.

 
   

Happy Iowa Museum Week!

Connect ( or reconnect) with your sense of wonder at the Museum of Natural History this summer. A free, drop-in welcome, fam-friendly summer program designed with elementary and jr. high students in mind but suitable for all ages! We know summers are long when your kiddos aren't in school --we've got your back, parents! Mornings @ The Museum are a perfect way to keep busy (sans screens), learn cool stuff, and stay cool! Each event will feature a different theme with an activity:

Each week this summer, a full-length film will be projected for all to enjoy on the Pentacrest, right outside of the Museum of Natural History, thanks to Iowa City's Summer of the Arts.

Movies start at sundown (8:15-9pm depending on how far into the season we are), with special entertainment prior to some of the feature films. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the show shown on a large, inflatable screen that provides a smooth and clear picture for our beautiful outdoor theater.

*In case of rain, the movie will be shown at 8:30pm in Van Allen Hall Auditorium.

June 8 Jumanji, Welcome to the Jungle   2017 PG-13 119 mins

sponsored by Faithful Companions and The Kirkwood Room

June 15 The Greatest Showman   2017 PG 105 mins

sponsored by IC Pride  

June 29  Sweet Home Alabama    2002 PG-13 108 mins 

sponsored by Barker Apartments

 

July 13   Robin Hood Men in Tights   1993 PG-13 104 mins 

sponsored by Zmarik's Noodle Cafe

 

July 20   Incredibles 2     2018 PG 118 mins

sponsored by Plato's Closet

 
July 27   The Proposal     2009 PG-13 108 mins

sponsored by CHOMP 

 Aug 3   Sister Act     1992 PG 100 mins

sponsored by AW Welt Ambrisco

 Aug 10   The Little Mermaid    1989 G 83 mins

sponsored by Jensen Eyecare

 Aug 17   Bohemian Rhapsody    2018 PG-13 134 mins

sponsored by CHOMP  

 Aug 24   Coco      2017 PG 105 mins

sponsored by Southgate Properties

Bring your toddler to enjoy a story and related activities at the Museum of Natural History! Approximately 30 minutes of guided learning (story, poems/songs, craft) that leads to free exploration of the museum is the perfect way to start your Friday with your littles. And all before naptime! 

Read on the Rug is recommended for ages 2-4 along with their parent or guardian. Cost is free, but space is limited.  Please sign up using the registration links:

Experienced, aspiring, and amateur writers alike: this summer, make our museums your muse.

Join us in one of our magical gallery spaces after-hours with other writers in your community. We think our museum is one of the best places to write in town; evoking curiosity and wonder while remaining quiet and, of course, climate-controlled (Phew! Summer in Iowa, right?). Work on a project you've been needing a reason to revisit or begin something totally new. All genres, all subjects--we got you.

Our space is yours for the evening:

This program is designed for adult participants but everyone is welcome!  Admission is free. Advanced registration not required.

Experienced, aspiring, and amateur artists alike: this summer, make our museums your muse.

Join us in one of our magical gallery spaces after-hours with other artists in your community. Our collections make excellent subjects for sketching because they're always perfectly still! Oh, and did we mention air conditioning...summer in Iowa, right? 

This program is designed for adult participants but everyone is welcome!  Admission is free. Advanced registration not required.

2014 marked the centenary of the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon. Numbering in the billions in 1800, the Passenger Pigeon was driven to extinction by human activity; the last bird died on September 1, 1914.

Project Passenger Pigeon is an international effort to commemorate this anniversary and use it not only as an opportunity to familiarize people with this remarkable species, but also to raise awareness of current issues related to human-caused extinction, explore connections between humans and the natural world, and inspire people to become more involved in building a sustainable relationship with other species.

New permanent exhibit CORNERSTONES is now open in the Old Capitol Keyes Gallery, sharing the space with our gift shop.

 

From its beginning as a United States territory, to its landmark court cases and constitutional foundation, Cornerstones brings to life the unique history and culture of Iowa.  With one of the oldest state constitutions still in use today, Iowa and its citizens continue to be affected by the ideas and decisions of its early settlers.  This exhibition displays Iowa heritage through the examination of a wide range of Iowa people and events that help visitors put Iowa's history in the context of larger themes, such as freedom of speech and civil rights.

 

Cornerstones promotes the enrichment of Iowa history and a deeper understanding of the people, laws, and events that shaped the Iowa we live in today.  This exhibition facilitates discussion of the decisions made by past Iowans that still have an impact on the people of Iowa today.