M u s e u m
Chronicle inside this issue:
From Earth to the Universe Moundville Museum to Reopen Moundville Native American Festival 20th Anniversary Museum Members A Day in the Life of the Collections Department Christmas Open House Children’s Christmas Market Discovering Alabama Partners with Woodland Forrest Elementary School Todd Hester joins AMNH
Alabama Museum of Natural History • Discovering Alabama • Moundville Archaeological Park • Office of Archaeological Research • Gorgas House • Museum Collections
N e w s f r o m t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f A l a b a m a Mu s e u m s • N u m b e r 3 2 • WI N TER 2 0 0 9
n o v e m b e r 26 Thanksgiving - All Museums closed 27-29 Thanksgiving Holidays – Alabama Museum of Natural History and Gorgas House – closed
d e c e m b e r 6 Open House - Alabama Museum of Natural History 11 Children’s Christmas Market - Alabama Museum of Natural History 24-25 Christmas Holidays - Moundville Archaeological Park - closed 24-31 Christmas Holidays - Alabama Museum of Natural History and Gorgas House - closed
J A N U A R Y
E xh ib it Op e n s a t Mu se u m of Nat u r al H i s t o r y
1 New Years Holiday - All Museums closed
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he University of Alabama’s Museum of Natural History announces the opening of “From Earth to the Universe,” a photographic exhibit on display in the Museum’s Atrium Gallery.
TBA Jones Archaeological Museum grand re-opening Moundville Archaeological Park
F EBR U A R Y 13 “Night at the Museum: Dinner and Dance” Alabama Museum of Natural History
The exhibit consists of 26 stunning images of the universe taken from various telescopes around the world and many of NASA’s space probes.
M u s e u m
Chronicle
The images in “From Earth to the Universe” are a sample of the wide range of galaxies and star clusters in the universe. The exhibit is part of the mission for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 to bring the universe to everyone.
Published periodically during the year by The University of Alabama Museums Robert Clouse, Ph.D. Executive Director The University of Alabama Museums
“We are pleased to serve as a venue for this international exhibition,” said Randy Mecredy, director of UA’s Alabama Museum of Natural History. “These wonderful astronomical images offer views of space that show our audience the wonder of the cosmos.”
Board of Regents Ben Barnett, Board President Tuscaloosa, AL
Mike Jenkins Montgomery, AL
Beverly Phifer Tuscaloosa, AL
Larry Taylor, Board Vice President Moundville, AL
Steve Johnson Tuscaloosa, AL
Tom Semmes San Antonio, TX
Prescott Atkinson, Ph. D., M. D. Birmingham, AL
Thomas Joiner Tuscaloosa, AL
Marguerite Smith Short Birmingham, AL
Catherine Sloss Crenshaw Birmingham, AL
Douglas Jones, Ph. D. Tuscaloosa, AL
Nick Tew, Ph. D. Tuscaloosa, AL
Darla Graves Owasso, OK
Eleanor May Tuscaloosa, AL
Terry Waters Tuscaloosa, AL
Tommy Hester Tuscaloosa, AL
Douglas McCraw Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Tom Watson Tuscaloosa, AL
“These images represent the most memorable products of many cameras and telescopes, at locations from sea level to the vicinity of Saturn,” said Dr. William Keel, professor of astronomy and curator of the exhibition. “They were selected for visual impact rather than a survey of the science, and a good way to take them in is to simply let the impressions wash over you.”
Tom McMillan Brewton, AL
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The International Year of Astronomy 2009 celebrates the first astronomical use of the telescope by Galileo – a momentous event that initiated 400 years of astronomical discoveries and triggered a scientific revolution which profoundly affected our worldview. Now telescopes on the ground and in space explore the universe, 24 hours a day, across all wavelengths of light. “The International Year of Astronomy 2009 gives all nations a chance to participate in this ongoing exciting scientific and technological revolution,” said Catherine Cesarsky, president of the International Astronomical Union. A superb face-on spiral galaxy, The Whirlpool is a popular target for amateur astronomers. This image shows what the NASA / ESA Hubble Space Telescope saw when it observed this classic spiral. Special filters highlight the red glow of enormous hydrogen gas clouds, and this view shows how The Whirlpool is interacting with its much smaller neighbor, the yellow-coloured NGC 5195. (S. Beckwith for the NASA/ ESA Hubble Heritage Team)
“This exhibition stretches around the globe,” said Keel. “Our installation has the added feature of a research partnership with the new Planetario Habana in Cuba where these prints will be on display at the opening of the new planetarium and science outreach center in Havana.” The exhibit will be on display at the UA Museum of Natural History now through the beginning of 2010. The Museum is open Monday thru Saturday from 10 am to 4:30 pm. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children – UA students, staff and faculty are admitted for free. M
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Celebrates
M O UND V I L L E A R C H A E O L O G I C A L P A R k 2 0 TH A N N IVERS A RY OF THE N A TIVE A MERI C A N FESTIV A L
L-R: Mary T. Newman demostrates pottery making and firing for visitors; Debbie Snow, a volunteer with archaeology firm Pan American Consultants, teaches kids how to make corn shuck dolls; Muscogee storyteller, Kate Taluga recently rejoined us at the festival after several years absence; Claudia Thompson, who has been at the festival since its inception, demonstrates beadwork to visitors.
Moundville Archaeological Park celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Native American Festival, October 7 through 10, with a fanfare. Despite the damp during the weekdays and light rain on Saturday, over 8,000 visitors attended Wednesday through Friday; another 1,100 or so donning wet weather gear to join us on Saturday.
Knapper’s Corner, they could watch one another’s booths while teaching people how arrow and spear points were made. Twenty one years later, from a handful of people, the Moundville Native American Festival now hosts over 250 Native Americans and other experts. Just as many people are behind the scenes – staff, volunteers and sponsors give their time, knowledge and money. We share a family ethic; we all do our part the best that we can. Each person, in the limelight or the background, helps promote cultural understanding, dispelling the stereotypes so many people imagine as Native American. For this, the Moundville Native American Festival owes its continued growth and very existence.
From a small, intermingled circle, the festival has developed into one of the largest and best recognized events of its kind. In 1991, our first performers joined us. Storytellers, musicians and dancers involved the audience in their presentations. Next, came the demonstration arbors. Native Americans and other experts present the culture, heritage and lifeways of the southeastern Native American people. Elder basket maker Minnie Bell, is a cultural treasure herself.
$5,000,000 5 mil
The performance area moved around for several years until we found the perfect spot for it – a natural amphitheater to the north of the museum. In addition to traditional southeastern native dances and music, we started adding contemporary, award winning musicians.
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The Challenge for Moundville Archaeological Park
Knapper’s Corner arrived in the late 1990s, after Moundville Archaeological Park its second successful knap-in – a stone tool making event. Flintknappers, who fashion stone points and other tools and weapons from rocks that break like glass, wanted to be grouped together so that they could demonstrate their art but be able to sell at the same time. By giving them
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As the University of Alabama, Department of Anthropology conducted fall field school digs at Moundville, we added “Archaeology in Action.” Naturally, this area moves from year to year as different areas of the park are researched. This past festival, the Office of Archaeological Research excavated an area for new handicapped parking near the museum. They kindly interpreted their findings to festival visitors. Early on organizers also noticed visitors detouring from the heart of the festival to visit Mound B and our Nature Trail. Who can resist climbing Alabama’s tallest mound? Since our patrons were already headed that way, we stationed guides there to provide extra information. Along with helping interpret Archaeology in Action, the UA Anthropology Club has been invaluable in staffing Mound B over the years.
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The Kresge Foundation has awarded the campaign for Moundville a challenge grant of $200,000. To receive the grant, UA must raise $450,000 by December 31, 2009. Every new private gift and pledge to the Jones Museum will count toward the Kresge challenge. Help us meet our goal – please contact Kelli Harris, Development Director, at 205-348-9826 or email her at kharris@ua.edu. E
Sculptures of raptors emerging as part of growing thunderheads are featured in the ceiling treatment of the museum renovation.
A view of the terrace and back of the new gift shop overlooks a lake in the park.
M O UND V I L L E M USEU M DUE T O R E O P EN L A TE J A NU A R Y
Three warriors that appear in Zone 1 of the renovation appear above. The faces of all the figures were cast from state and federally recognized Native Americans.
Renovations at the Jones Archaeological Museum at Moundville Archaeological Park have been progressing nicely and should be completed by late January, 2010. The last stage of the renovation, exhibit installation, is almost finished. Lighting is being adjusted; the computer special effects are receiving final programming; artifacts are being installed in cases; security is installed and fully functioning; and clothing is being placed on the life cast manniquins in the dioramas that will tell the story of Moundville’s elite. After the installation, the staff will spend several days prepping the museum for the public and will announce an opening date soon thereafter. In celebration of the newly renovated museum and exhibits, a public event at the park will take place in early spring that will likely include Native American performances and several hands-on activities.
A huge face, similar to those carved on poles by early historic Southeastern Indians, wraps around one of the museum’s support posts; Zone 2 figures depicted are (L-R) the chief of Moundville, his wife, their son, the heir to the Moundville chiefdom and a maker of medicine; Two of the warriors bear the palanquin (a covered litter) upon which a noble bride is seated in preparation for her marriage to the heir of Moundville.
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Museum Members
Museums can only be as great as their patrons and the University of Alabama Museum system owes much
of its success to our member involvement. Recognizing the vital role that Alabama’s rivers play in the beauty and uniqueness of our state, levels of our museum memberships are designated with river names. As a member you are a critical part of the Museum family. Your contribution allows the Museum to enhance its collections, offer better programs, and serve the public in many ways. With your help, we can provide programs that explore Alabama’s rivers and caves, fund the Summer Expedition and support Discovering Alabama television series, now entering it’s 26th year. You also make possible the annual Native American Festival at Moundville and workshops on a wide range of subjects.
Thank you for your support. EUGENE ALLEN SMITH SOCIETY
Mr. and Mrs. William D. Seagrove Ms. Elvira M. Tate Ms. Sara Taylor Thornton Dr. Edward R. Uehling Mr. Terry Waters
$5,000 and up
Mrs. Marguerite Smith Turner SIPSEY RIVER
BLACK WARRIOR RIVER
$1,000-4,999
$100-249
Dr. Robert A. Clouse Mr. Steve Johnson Mr. Tom Joiner Mr. and Mrs. Shelby S. Mackey, Jr. Dr. Beverly Phifer
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Bell Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Boliek, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Richard Bradt Mr. and Mrs. James Mark Braswell Mrs. Amanda Espy Brown Mr. Jimmy L.Byram Ms. Patricia Caddis Mr. Mike Camp Dr. and Mrs. G. Norman Carlson Mrs. Jennifer Charles Mrs. Laura Clouse Mr. and Mrs. Richard Clouse Mr. Patrick R. Conner Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau Mr. and Mrs. David G. Courington Mr. Thomas Culpepper, III Dr. Joyce Donley Mr. and Mrs. John C. Duckworth Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ebert, Jr. Mrs. Margaret Koster Findley Mr. and Mrs. Lowell J. Friedman Dr. and Mrs. R. David Glasgow Mr. and Mrs. George B. Gordon Mr. J. Howard Graham Mr. and Mrs. Van Gravlee Mr. T. Randolph Gray, Sr. Mr. Robert C. Harris Dr. and Mrs. H. Scott Hestevold Ms. Cheryl Hines Ms. Susan Hodges Dr. and Mrs. Richard Holland
COOSA RIVER $500-999
Mr. Tommy P. Hester Drs. Craig and Betsy Sheldon Mr. Tom Watson CAHABA RIVER $250-499
Mr. Ben T. Barnett Dr. Ronald J. Buta Mr. Robbie Camp Dr. John W. Cottier Mr. Perry Daley Mr. Charleigh Robert Davis Dr. Richard A. Diehl and Dr. Sue Scott Mr. E. A. Drummond CDR Lee A. Hallman USN, RET Dr. Arthur Howington Dr. Douglas E. Jones Mr. James R. Jones Mr. Randy Mecredy Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Powers Mr. James and Dr. Jane Rasco
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Dr. and Mrs. Gary Hooks Ms. Hillary H. Jeffcoat Dr. Max Joiner Mr. and Mrs. Bert Jones Mr. and Mrs. Ralph R. Jones The Honora Gay Lake Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Land Mr. and Mrs. Will Liddell, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lowe Ms. Dorothy Malaier Dr. and Mrs. John Markushewski Mrs. Eleanor Weatherford May Dr. Joan Mitchell Mrs. Eileen R. Moore Drs. Jerry and Isabel Oldshue Mr. and Mrs. John T. Oliver , Jr. Mr. Timothy Ott Mr. Charles A. Pitts Mr. and Mrs. Samuel G. Porter Dr. Michael J. Quinn Mrs. Linda Reynolds Mr. and Mrs. Yetta Glenn Samford, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. H. Phillip Sasnett Mr. and Mrs. Ron Sawyer Mrs. Susie P. Simpson Mr. John Steiner Mr. and Mrs. A. Lee Swetman Mr. Stephen Thoma and Amy E. Sandberg Mr. and Mrs. Cleophus Thomas, Jr. Dr. James H. Thomas Mrs. Marguerite Todorov Dr. Lakey W. Tolbert Mr. and Mrs. David Turner Mr. and Mrs. Bill Vaughn Mr. Robert B. Walker Mr. John B. White Dr. and Mrs. James R. Williams Dr. William Winternitz & Ms. Madeleine Hill Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Wooldridge
Photo credit: Beth Maynor Young
ALABAMA RIVER $40-99
Mr. Frank Jerome Adams Ms. Patricia G. Adams Mrs. Martha C. Atkinson Dr. Prescott Atkinson Mr. and Mrs. Ed Avery Dr. and Mrs. John Beeler Drs. Philip and Ellen Beidler Ms. Mary Bass Belmont Mr. William B. Blackmon Dr. and Mrs. Harry L. Blewitt Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Brazil Ms. Lela Anne Brewer Dr. Edwin C. Bridges Dr. Richard C. Brown Mr. and Mrs. Harold H. Buchmann Mr. Michael T. Burkhalter Mr. Larry Ecter Burnette Ms. Nancy Callahan Ms. Wendy Carden Mr. Brent Catchings Ms. Amber Chen Ms. Stacie Clark Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Coleman Mrs. JoAnn H. Cook Ms. Lowell Virginia Craft Mr. D. Tyrone Crowley Mr. Brooks Darby Mr. and Mrs. John B. Davis Mr. Lewis S. Dean Mr. Walter W. Dean Dr. and Mrs. Temd R. Deason Mrs. Murrie Dixon Mr. William G. Doty Dr. Charles M. Edwards Mr. and Mrs. James Elliott Mr. and Mrs. Isaac P. Espy Ms. Joanne Ethridge
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Evans Ms. Molly F. Gamble Dr. William B. Gardner Mr. Charles Gleaton Mr. John R. Goodloe Mrs. Lydia Jane Goodman Mrs. Elizabeth Hagler Mrs. Michelle Anderson Hale Dr. and Mrs. John C. Hall Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Hatfield Mr. and Mrs. Harry Horn Ms. Channing Howington Mr. and Mrs. William R. Ireland Mr. and Mrs. Hallie A. Jenkins Mr. and Mrs. James Joiner Ms. Joan M. King Mr. and Mrs. Rodney A. Kipp Mr. James W. Lee Mrs. David Lueth Mr. Slay Magouirk Ms. Elizabeth May Mr. and Mrs. David A. Mays Mr. and Mrs. E. Mason McGowin Mrs. Shirley Mecredy Ms. Jane P. Miller Mrs. Paige L. Mize Mr. and Mrs. Guy Moman Ms. Elizabeth Motherwell Dr. David D. Nelson Dr. and Mrs. Paul D. Nelson Dr. Kathryn Oths Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Otts Dr. George Overstreet Ms. Judith B. Owings Ms. Beverly C. Parnell Dr. Rufus Partlow Mr. and Mrs. Joe Pearson Ms. Debbie Pendleton Ms. Genelle Pernia Dr. and Mrs. Paul M. Pruitt M
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Ms. Olivia Quijano Mr. Jason E. Ralls Mr. Rodican P. Reed Mr. Michael Riches Dr. Andrew K. Rindsberg Ms. Augusta C. Robinson Dr. and Mrs. Tom Rogers Mr. John B. Scott Mrs. Diana Lenard Secor Mr. David R. Shaw Mr. Carson H. Shockney Mrs. Tammy Self Smith Ms. Sydney Sparkes Dr. and Mrs. James Stallworth Mr. and Mrs. Jarel Starling Mr. Richard Stober Mr. Franklin Sullivan Ms. Cammie L. Sylver Dr. and Mrs. Joab Thomas Mr. Tim B. Townsend Dr. Michael R. Ursic Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Vecellio Ms. Katherine Walcott Mr. Edwin J. Walker Mr. Thomas H. Walker Dr. Lloyd C. Warr Ms. LeeAnne Wendt Dr. and Mrs. Jerre R. White Ms. Hedy Hayward Woods If you feel your name is not listed properly, please call or email Carolyn Averett at (205) 348-7551 or caverett@bama.ua.edu.
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a d ay i n t h e l i f e o f t h e coll e c t i o n s d e par t m e n t The collections department is fortunate to have many volunteers, researchers, and students that bring both aid and scholarship to our day-to-day operations. Often times, there is more work to be done than hours in the day, so our volunteers are crucial to our success as a department.
The Alabama Museum of Natural History has been fortunate to have the dedication and expertise of Dr. Harry Blewitt. Dr. Blewitt has been volunteering his time with our vertebrate paleontological collections since 1998, and since last year has assumed the responsibility of reorganizing this collection to conform to taxonomic order.
Dr. Douglas Jones, former Executive Director of the UA Museums, has been gracious enough to volunteer his time inventorying the invertebrate paleo collection at the Alabama Museum of Natural History. He started this immense and time consuming project in 2006 and is now approximately two thirds done. Dr. Jones has the scientific knowledge of this discipline as well as the historical knowledge of these collections. Recently, Dr. Jones has been assisted by Dr. David Campbell of the UA Biology Department.
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Dr. Richard A. Diehl, Curator Emeritus of Mesoamerican Archaeology, is currently studying a portion of a large sample of ancient artifacts collected at Teotihuacan and other places in Mexico during the 1940s and donated to the Museums in 1986. Initially, Dr. Diehl is focusing on the 1,000 plus “candeleros” in the collection which are small crude handmade clay incense burners used by every household. According to Dr. Diehl, candeleros were “surely the ugliest things in the Teotihuacan tool kit.” When asked why study them, he responded that “while most archaeologists focus on temples and other large religious buildings, it also is very important to understand how ordinary people lived their daily lives and worshipped their gods. Candeleros and similar household objects help us to do this.” The Office of Archaeological Research (OAR) has also been fortunate to welcome Thomas Potter, a student in the University of Alabama Anthropology Department, who came to OAR to expand his knowledge of archaeology and to work with collections. Mr. Potter assisted the Collections Department in reorganizing, reintegrating, and updating the inventory of the 1993 National Science Foundation Mound Testing Project collection. The collections department cares for natural history collections curated at the Alabama Museum of Natural History, as well as archaeological collections curated at Office of Archaeological Research in Moundville. With such an expansive range of collections, there are always new challenges, surprises, and learning opportunities; and we welcome the opportunity to share the collections with you.
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vol u n t e e r s w a n t e d f or m u s e u m s coll e c t i o n s proj e c t s – s e co n d call Do you ever wonder where all the museum collections go
when they’re not on exhibit? Are you interested in how museum collections are taken care of? Do you have an exacting attention to detail? Is there extra time in your schedule? If you answered yes to these questions, then you might be the person the Museum Collections Department is looking for. The Museum Collections Department is currently conducting projects both on-campus and at the Office of Archaeological Research in Moundville. Projects oncampus include the re-housing and labeling of the rock and mineral collection, data entry of collection inventories, and future inventories of different museum collections. Projects at the Office of Archaeological Research include rehabilitating and inventorying old archaeological collections, instituting a new accession file system, and data entry of archaeological inventories. If you are interested and want to find out more information, please contact Mary Bade, Director of Museum Collections, at (205) 348-0534, or email her at mjbade@bama.ua.edu.
CURATION WORD SEARCH: find and circle the words described at the right of the puzzle (words may be found forward, backward, or at an angle)
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AMNH holiday open house
children’s christmas market
December 6 from 4 to 5:30 – Kick off your holidays by joining the staff for tasty treats and holiday goodies at the Alabama Museum of Natural History.
December 11 from 4 to 7 – Round up the kids and get an early start on your holiday shopping at the annual children’s market at the Alabama Museum of Natural History.
Discovering Alabama Partnering with Woodland Forrest Elementary School K-12 programs, Discovering Alabama’s web-based Virtual Field Trips and Ask the Expert.
Discovering Alabama extends great appreciation to Woodland Forrest Elementary School for their ongoing interest in our series. Woodland Forrest Principal, Wanda Fisher, and a team of her teachers recently invited Discovering Alabama’s assistance as the school develops curriculum plans to become a “Discovering Alabama Model School”. Over the years Woodland Forrest teachers have attended various workshops featuring the educational resources and training assistance available through Discovering Alabama and the Alabama Museum of Natural History. Now the school is exploring ideas about creatively combining aspects of many of these resources, including the Discovering Alabama videos and Teacher Guides, Museum field programs, Discovering Alabama’s Project Community and Discovering Our Heritage
The resulting curriculum concept, envisioned by Woodland Forrest teachers as enabling a “Discovering Alabama Model School”, will engage students in the active discovery of local and state natural diversity to augment the study of science, social studies, language arts, mathematics, and other subject areas. Curriculum planning will proceed during this school year while funding is sought to support acquisition of important instructional materials and equipment, completion of an on-site “outdoor classroom”, provision of summer teacher training, and other needs vital to program implementation in 2010-2011.
A Sampling of Discovering Alabama Viewer Mail Discovering Alabama reaches students in a way that few educational programs do . . Each program captivates, teaches, and provides a springboard for further study in a variety of areas. Our teachers feel that students really do “discover Alabama.”
—elementary teacher, Homewood School System
I just want to tell you how impressed I am with the usability of your videos in the classroom. I am a new, first year teacher of Environmental Science… I have used your video about Village Creek to supplement my lessons concerning non-point source pollution. The students enjoy the video and it correlates with the causes of NPS Pollution very well. And, your personality and manner of speaking is very appealing to my students
—high school environmental science teacher, Jefferson County
I just wanted to share with you how much my fourth graders enjoy watching your videos. I ordered the entire collection several years ago. Keep up the good work! —fourth grade teacher, Talladega I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate all that you do for Alabama, for environmental awareness, and for environmental education. You have reached more people in the general adult population with your programs and your very balanced message than anyone else in Alabama. That is a segment of the population that many of us struggle with how to reach with environmental education, and I think we often lose sight of how much you have contributed to that effort. Thank you for all that you do.
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—university professor, Birmingham
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u n i v e r s i t y o f alabama mu s e um s m e mb e r s h i p giving levels & benefits
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uch of the natural beauty of Alabama is found among its many rivers. To recognize the vital role these rivers play in making our state unique, the University of Alabama Museums has designated gift membership levels with the names of some of Alabama’s best-known and beloved rivers.
All membership levels are important to the Museum. We hope you will be as generous as your circumstances allow. F i r s t
f o u r t h
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coosa River $500
Alabama River $40 •
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Unlimited admission (except for special events) to: Moundville Archaeological Park Alabama Museum of Natural History Gorgas House Paul W. Bryant Museum Membership newsletter Discounts on Museum programs and Summer Expedition Membership card and decal Recognition in newsletter Invitations to special member events
s e co n d
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Unlimited admission to Museums for member and 10 guests Three gift memberships for one year at Black Warrior level Other benefits as listed in previous level
SI X TH
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eugene allen smith society $5000 • •
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cahaba River $250 • • • • •
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Sipsey River $1000
Receive Discovering Alabama DVD’s 10% discount at University of Alabama Museum Shops Other benefits as listed in previous level
t h i r d
Unlimited admission to Museums for member and 7 guests Book on natural history from The University of Alabama Press Reduced rental rates for Museum facilities Other benefits as listed in previous level
FIFTH
B l a c k w arr i o r R i v e r $100 • • •
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Special recognition in Smith Hall foyer Special Museum excursion lead by Executive Director of The University of Alabama Museums Unlimited admission to Museums for member and 15 guests Other benefits as listed in previous level
Free admission to Moundville Native American Festival Unlimited admission to Museums for member and 5 guests Gift membership for one year at Alabama level 20% discount at University of Alabama Museum Shops Other benefits as listed in previous level
Yes, I/we want to support The University of Alabama Museums Alabama River $40
Charge to:
B l a c k Warr i o r R i v e r $ 1 0 0
MasterCard
Ca h a b a R i v e r $ 2 5 0
Account Number_______________________________________________
Coosa River $500
Expiration Date_ _______________________________________________
Sipsey River $1000
My Signature__________________________________________________
Eugene Allen Smith Society $5000
Name(s)______________________________________________________
My/our membership is enclosed My employer will match this gift
Visa
Address______________________________________________________ Phone_______________________________________________________ E-mail_ ______________________________________________________
Please make checks payable to the University of Alabama Museums and mail to: Box 870340 • Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0340 Your annual gift is tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Thank you for your support.
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Box 870340 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487–0340 (205) 348-7550 museums.ua.edu museum.programs@ua.edu
todd hester joins alabama museum of natural history The Alabama
Museum of Natural History is pleased to announce that Todd Hester has joined the staff as Museum Naturalist. Todd is native to Alabama growing up in Sulligent in Lamar County. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama in Geography with a focus on Environment and Natural Resources. He is currently working toward a master’s degree at the Capstone in Geography. Todd is a member of the Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership Society and the American Planning Association Alabama Chapter. He has experience teaching laboratory classes in the Geography Department and brings a unique “environmental planners perception” to the museum education and outreach programs. “I’ve been a big fan of the Museum all my life,” says Todd. “I grew up watching Dr. Doug and Turkey roam across Alabama and I credit Discovering Alabama for choosing the path I’ve taken in life.”
Todd is looking forward to contributing all he can to the success of the Museum of Natural History and the Museum family as well. “This is what I consider to be one of the most important jobs in the world,” says Todd. “Educating the public of the importance of our natural world should be of paramount concern to our society.”
VISIT the gorgas house Experience UA’s early history Open 9-4 • Monday through Friday Located on the UA campus adjacent to the Quad