Ever wonder what Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History keeps in storage?
Exhibitors from the natural history museum will offer a glimpse at collections rarely on display from March 4 to 31 at the Beverly Arts Center. These regional compilations are free to view at 2407 W. 111th St. on Chicago’s South Side.
The roving display is meant to celebrate the Field Museum’s 125th anniversary, said Noah Cruickshank, the museum’s adult engagement manager.
“We really wanted to celebrate that (anniversary) by expanding our footprint and going out into neighborhoods throughout the city,” said Cruickshank, adding that each display has artifacts specific to that region.
For Beverly, this includes information about the glaciers that led to the formation of the ridge that runs along Longwood Drive as well as geological information specific to the creation of Blue Island, Cruickshank said.
Many such items and other curiosities will be kept in large, wooden boxes lined with drawers. Those who open the drawers will find fossils, preserved rattle snakes, skeletons, geological specimens, native plants and more, Cruickshank said.
“You will be able to walk up to a cabinet, pull out a drawer and see wonderful things,” said Cruickshank, adding that a series of miniature dioramas will also be on display offering a glimpse into the region’s past.
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An opening reception for the exhibit titled “Chicago, Collected” will be held from 2-4 p.m. March 4 at the community arts center in Chicago’s Morgan Park neighborhood. The reception will feature a pair of Field Museum employees who will discuss the finer points of the exhibits.
Both Christine Giannoni and Laura Milkert live in the Beverly area and work at The Field Museum. Giannoni has served as the museum’s reference librarian since 2002. Milkert works on an environmental outreach program, partnering with such local spots as the Ridge Park Wetland and the Dan Ryan Woods.
“This is an opportunity to reach new audiences… Sometimes it is not super accessible to get folks downtown,” said Milkert of the display she hopes will be viewed by both adults and schoolchildren throughout the neighborhood.
Giannoni will also have an original printing of Charles Darwin’s “On The Origin of Species” on display.
“It’s going to be really informal. They (museum employees) will be hanging out at a table with their peers, and you can just chitchat,” Cruickshank said.
After the reception, the displays will remain open to the public. Bill Simpson of Morgan Park will also host a viewing of the animated movie “Ice Age” at 10:30 a.m. March 10 at the Beverly Arts Center.
Simpson leads the Field Museum’s geology collection and is an expert on mammoths and mastodons, which are featured in the children’s movie.
He has worked at the museum for more than 30 years and his duties include cleaning and maintaining Sue — the famous Tyranasaurus rex. Simpson will introduce the film and remain after the show to answer questions.
Similar displays have already come to Chicago’s Little Village and Chinatown neighborhoods. There will be two additional stops after Beverly with the roving display going back into storage in May, Cruickshank said.
“We really want to give people the feel like they are behind the scenes at the Field Museum,” he said.
Howard Ludwig is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
‘Chicago, Collected’
When: March 4 to 31; opening reception 2 to 4 p.m. March 4.
Where: Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago
Information: fieldmuseum.org