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Newsletter of the

VirginiaMuseum of

Natural History

Spring 2009

Exhibit opening May 16

IN THIS ISSUE

An Evening at the Pyramids

Stromatolite on display

Exhibit Spotlight

Upcoming Events

An exhibition on the natural resources and history of Lee Memorial Park, this exhibit features 80 original botanical watercolor paintings by Bessie Niemeyer Marshall. The first 40 paintings will be on display beginning May 16, with the second 40-piece collection to be displayed beginning September 15.

Although Lee Memorial Park was not established until 1921, geologists and

paleontologists have unearthed prehistoric sites and fossils dating as far back as 330 million years. The park also serves as a rich botanical meeting ground for rare plant species and is a habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife. This exhibition, on loan from the Wilcox Watershed Conservancy and Petersburg Garden Club, includes a mix of geologic and cultural history.

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Please note that this is the last issue of Virginia, Naturally! Due to budget restraints and our ongoing efforts to reduce paper usage as part of the VMNH Green Initiative, we are transitioning completely to our monthly e-Newsletter. If you do not currently receive the VMNH e-Newsletter, please email us at information@vmnh.virginia.gov.

Bug Daze festival, May 30

The 4th annual Bug Daze festival will be held Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This popular festival features fun and educational displays of

unusual insects, crustaceans, arachnids and more, highlighting the roles of various bugs in people’s everyday lives.

Don’t miss the Reptile Day festival on July 25, followed by the Virginia Cultural Festival on September 19 and the Outdoor Fun Festival & Chili Cookoff on October 17. To learn more about these and other VMNH events, visit www.vmnh.net.

2009 Field Trips

TimothyJ.GetteresignedasexecutivedirectorofVMNHinFebruary2009toacceptthepositionofexecutivedirectoroftheInstituteofTexanCulturesinSanAntonio.GettewasappointedexecutivedirectorofVMNHin2004,afterservingaschiefoperatingofficeroftheDallasMuseumofNaturalHistoryanddirectorofoperationsoftheSixthFloorMuseumatDealeyPlazainDallas. EstablishedastheTexasStateExhibitsBuildingforHemisFairin1968andlaterdesignatedacampusofTheUniversityofTexasatSanAntonio,UTSA’sInstituteofTexanCulturestellsthestoriesofTexas’diversecitizensandinvitesgueststojoininthecelebrationofTexas’multiculturalheritage.

VMNH • Virginia, Naturally2Gette Accepts Texas Position

Young Friends Event

“An Evening at the Pyramids”

TheVirginiaMuseumofNaturalHistoryFoundation’s

3rdannualgala,“AnEveningatthePyramids,”isSaturday,

May2at7p.m.inTheHarvestFoundationofthePiedmontGreatHall. Tolearnmoreaboutthisevent,visitwww.vmnh.net.Forinformationaboutpurchasingticketsorforsponsorshipinformation,contactCharlotteHarterat276-634-4162orcharlotte.harter@vmnh.virginia.gov.

The Young Friends of VMNH hosted “Mardi Gras at the Museum” on February 24, drawing over 70 visitors. Young Friends is a members group for 20, 30, and 40 year-olds that aims to raise awareness of the Museum and provides support for VMNH’s educational, social, and fundraising activities.

Beginningthisspring,VMNHcuratorswillleadscientificexpeditionstositesthroughoutVirginia,allowingparticipantstobecome“scientistsfortheday.”Tolearnmore,visitwww.vmnh.netore-mailfieldtrips@vmnh.virginia.gov.

The22ndAnnualVMNHFoundationThomasJeffersonAwardsareWednesday,April22from6to7:30p.m.attheMuseum.TheThomasJeffersonAwardshonorVirginiabusinesses,groupsandindividualsfortheircontributionstoandsupportfornaturalscience. Tolearnmoreaboutthisevent,visitwww.vmnh.net.Forinformationaboutpurchasingticketsorforsponsorshipinformation,contactCharlotteHarterat276-634-4162orcharlotte.harter@vmnh.virginia.gov.

Thomas Jefferson Awards

Dr.RichardHoffmanrecentlyretiredascuratorofrecentinvertebratesatVMNH.HoffmanwasappointeddirectorofresearchandcollectionsinDecember2007,afterservingascuratorofrecentinvertebratesatVMNHfor19years.HeturnedthispositionovertoDr.JamesBeardonJanuary14,butcontinuedinhisroleascuratoruntilhisretirementonApril1. PriortoworkingatVMNH,hewasaprofessorofbiologyatRadfordUniversityfor29years.HoffmanpursuedundergraduatestudiesattheUniversityofVirginia,earnedamaster’sdegreeinentomologyfromCornellUniversity,andadoctorateinzoologyfromVirginiaTech.

Dr. Richard Hoffman Retires

The Young Friends will be sponsoring “Canoe and Que,” June 27 on the Smith River. Visit www.vmnh.net for details about this and other upcoming events.

Anexhibitfeaturinga500million-year-oldstromatolitespecimenisnowondisplayinTheHarvestFoundationofthePiedmontGreatHall.TheexhibitwasunveiledduringtheMuseum’sDinoDayfestivalonJanuary10.Thestromatolite,whichmeasures6feetindiameterandweighsover2tons,garnerednationalattentionafteritsdiscoveryinMay2008attheBox-leyBlueRidgeQuarrynearRoanoke,Virginia.Whilemovingapileoflooserock,quarryemployeesnoticedthemysteriousobject,butwereunabletoidentifyit.Whenthequarry’sgeologistidentifieditasastromatolite,Museumscientistswereaskedtoconfirmtheanalysis.Stromatolitesareamongtheearliestknownlifeformsandareimportantinhelpingscientistsunderstandmoreaboutenvironmentsthatexistedinthepast.MuseumcuratorsandrepresentativesfromBoxleyBlueRidgeQuarrywereonhandtodiscussthespecimenandanswerquestionsforvisitors.BoxleydonatedthestromatolitetotheMuseum.TolearnmoreaboutthisandotherexhibitsatVMNH,visitwww.vmnh.net.

VMNH • Virginia, Naturally 3Gette Accepts Texas Position Family Festival

ThepopularDinoDayfestivalwasheldonJanuary10from10a.m.to4p.m.ThefestivalincludedaplayperformedbytheCarlisleSchoolPlayers,JurassicJeopardy,specialdinofilms,costumeddinocharacters,anddinos-on-parade.

The stromatolite exhibit is unveiled during the Dino Day festival. Pictured are (l-r) Charles Craddock of Boxley; Dr. Alton Dooley, assistant curator of paleontology at VMNH; John Moser, exhibit designer; and Timothy J. Gette, former executive director of VMNH.

Stromatolite Now on Display in Great Hall

Dr. Richard Hoffman Retires

At-the-MuseumprogramsareheldintheSuzanneM.LacyEducationCenter.Pre-registrationisrequiredbycalling276-634-4185.Sendquestionsandinquiriestodiscover@vmnh.virginia.gov.

VMNHofferschildrenages3to5theopportunitytoexperiencenaturalhistoryfirst-handwithourDoodleBugs!program.Thesehour-longprogramsincludeimaginativestories,funactivities,games,andcrafts.Programsareheldat10a.m.andrepeatedat3p.m.Childrenmustbeaccompaniedbyanadult.Programfeeis$4perparticipant.

October29

VirginiaIndiansOctoberisVirginiaArchaeologyMonth.ObserveseveralartifactsasyoulearnhowtheearlyVirginiaIndiansusedtheplantsandanimalsaroundthem.

November19

ExploringtheIceAgeSinkyourteethintothisprogramaboutSaberToothtigersandotherIceAgeanimalsthatonceroamedtheearthbyexploringourlatestexhibit.

December17

HolidayCraftsMakeandtakehomecraftsmadefromnaturalandreusablematerials.

VMNH • Virginia, Naturally4

Exhibit SpotlightAt-the-MuseumPrograms

Darwin: Evidence & Evolution,Darwin’s Enchanted IslandsNow open through April 23

Darwin: Evidence & Evolution celebrates the scientific achievements of Charles Darwin. Darwin’s 200th birthday was February 12, 2009, while 2009 also marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of his famous work, “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.” Darwin’s Enchanted Islands features the Galapagos Islands in all their majesty, through vivid photographs by Ronald Gard, renowned photographer and conservationist. Photos and specimens from Dr. Cleve Hickman Jr., professor emeritus of biology at Washington and Lee University are also displayed. Extraordinary animals, landscapes, and stories come to life in this enchanting exhibit.

Wonders of the Deep: Marine MollusksNow open through June 27

Don’t miss this award-winning exhibit. Marine mollusks provide scientists with records of climate changes and evolution over the last 500 million years. This exhibition, displayed in The Harvest Foundation Great Hall, includes specimens from the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains, from Massachusetts to Mississippi.

Rediscovering the Forgotten GardenMay 16, 2009 to January 10, 2010

An exhibition on the natural resources and history of Lee Memorial Park, this exhibit features 80 original botanical watercolor paintings by Bes-sie Niemeyer Marshall. Although Lee Memorial Park was not established until 1921, geologists and paleontologists have unearthed prehistoric sites and fossils dating as far back as 330 million years. The park also serves as a rich botanical meeting ground for rare plant species and is a habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife. This exhibition, on loan from the Wilcox Watershed Conservancy and Petersburg Garden Club, includes a mix of geologic and cultural history.

Clues to the Past: Archaeology in VirginiaJuly 18, 2009 to July 31, 2010

To be displayed in The Harvest Foundation of the Piedmont Great Hall, Clues to the Past provides insight in the field of archaeology including the scientific processes, excavation methods, and methods for forming the resulting conclusions. It shows how scientists use clues from the past to gain knowledge about how people lived and provides four case studies relevant to the Commonwealth.

At-the-Museum programs are held in the Suzanne M. Lacy Education Center. Pre-registration is required by calling 276-634-4185. Send questions and inquiries to discover@vmnh.virginia.gov.

These hour-long programs are packed with fun activities, games and crafts. Participants must be 3 to 5 years old and accompanied by an adult. Doodle Bugs! Programs are held at 10 a.m. and repeated at 3 p.m. $4/child

April 29

Scent-sational SensesYour nose knows best! Test your different senses in this fun program.

May 20

Slimy ScienceGet messy concocting some simple, slimy science creations such as goop!

June 24

TreesHave you hugged a tree today? Learn about all the amazing things trees can offer and make a leaf rubbing to take home.

At-the-MuseumPrograms

Marquis Reynolds displays part of his suspension bridge, made during the Lego Challenges MHC After 3 Program at the Martinsville YMCA.

VMNH • Virginia, Naturally 5

Special Saturdays programs make learning fun for all ages. Each program explores a different natural history topic through fun-filled discovery activities. Special Saturdays programs are held from 10 a.m. to noon unless otherwise noted. $5/person

April 25

Pollution SolutionsAges 6 – 8April is Earth Awareness Month. Explore easy steps to help take care of the environment. Make an earth-friendly craft to take home.

May 16

Bug OutAges 6 – 8Go buggy as we learn about creepy crawlies and how insects are important to us. Bug out with a great bug craft.

June 20

Power of NatureAges 9 – 12What is a hurricane? What causes an earth-quake? Answer these questions and many more as we explore nature’s power.

More Doodle Bugs! and Special Saturdays programs are coming for the summer! Call or visit our Web site for dates and themes.

Birthdays

MadeSpecial Need a fun place for a birthday party? Come to the Museum! We offer themed birthday parties for children which include a special program and craft. Bring your own cake and we will provide the paper products. Themes include: Butterfly Magic, Dinosaur Discovery, Virginia Indians, Bats, Ocean Adventures, and Explorers. Call 276-634-4185 for date availability and pricing.

MuseumSleepovers Imagine groups of children with flash-lights on a scavenger hunt, digging for fossils, and making cool crafts after Museum hours, then rolling out their sleeping bags under an Allosaurus skeleton for a good night’s sleep. VMNH sleepovers provide Boy and Girl Scouts with activities to earn badges; public groups are welcomed to experience many awesome programs and activities. Call 276-634-4185 for date availability and pricing.

MHCAfter3 VMNH site participants had a fun-filled fall semester as they explored a wide range of classes such as cooking, weather, photography, video production, and video game design. The Museum continues to provide academic programming to seven after-school sites in the MHC After 3 Program. This spring, students are participating in Lego Challenges, Wild Animals, Music Math, Nature Journaling, Green Thumb, and GPS Challenge.

Brent Turner gains hands-on experienceduring an MHC After 3 video production class.

MHC C&NN Upcoming Events The Martinsville–Henry County Children and Nature Network has several fun and exciting upcoming programs and events.

Earth Week: MHC C&NN is celebrating Earth Day April 18 – 26 with environmental education activities and events located in the Martinsville and Henry County area. Attend at least 7 activities to enter the grand prize drawing for an educational canoe trip on the Smith River.

Ecological Inventory of J. Frank Wilson Park: This inventory is a working nature and outdoor education tool that involves children and adults in the community. Participants will be able to post identified species on the Frank Wilson Park blog. The inventory has begun with an inventory of all the trees in the park. This is a great way for student groups, scout troops, Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, and others to earn volunteer service hours. Training sessions will be held this spring beginning April 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Martinsville, Henry County, and Carlisle Teachers: All teachers are invited to take part in an Earth Force training session. Earth Force training is designed for educators and community leaders to encourage citizens to work together to make a positive change in their community’s environment. Training is Wednesday, June 10.

Camps: MHC C&NN is developing new na-ture and outdoor camps. Camp topics include CSI, environmental care, and being green.

Scouts: Have your next outdoor scouting event with MHC C&NN. Scouts can earn badges and pins in nature study and other outdoor activities. For more information about MHC C&NN and its programs, visit www.vmnh.net, call 276-634-4185 or e-mail discover@vmnh.virginia.gov.

VMNH • Virginia, Naturally6

Educator Robin Jensen leads participants in a geocaching activity at Frank Wilson Park.

Geocaching Weekend TakepartinoneofVMNH’sGeocachingEventsonApril25–26.VMNH,MartinsvilleLeisureServices,andtheDanRiverBasinAssociationarepartneringtogetherforprogramsatFrankWilsonPark,BeaverCreekReservoir,andtheGravelyNaturePreserve.Participantswillpracticetheirskills,socomedressedfortheweatherandhiking.Opentoanyoneages8throughadult.BringyourownGPSunitoruseoneofours.Noexperienceisnecessary.Formoreinformationortopre-register,call276-634-4185ore-maildiscover@vmnh.virginia.gov.

TheYouthVolunteerProgramcontinuestoprovideteenswithfunandinvaluableexperienceswhileassistingeducationstaffwitheducationalprogramming.Youthvolunteershavebeeninvolvedinfamilyfestivals,FamilyFunFridays,summercamps,MHCAfter3programs,andSpecialSaturdays.Volunteersrecentlyhelpedwithcrafts,storytime,andJurassicJeopardyattheDinoDayfestival.Visitwww.vmnh.netformoreinformation.

Youth Volunteers

Youth Volunteer Devante Martin helps with the Build-a-Dinosaur activity on the Smartboard at the Dino Day festival.

Summer Fun SummertimeisfuntimeattheMuseum!FromJunetoAugust,Fridayswillbefilledwithfamily-orientedfunactivitiesfrom2to4p.m.withspecialeventsandactivitiesfeaturingnaturalandculturalorganizationsfromthecommunity.Watchandpar-ticipateindemonstrations,hands-onactivities,andexplorations.Visitwww.vmnh.netforalistingoftop-ics.ProgramsareincludedwithMuseumadmission.

SchoolgroupsareinvitedtothefirstEarthDayFestivalatVMNHonApril22.ParticipatingstudentswilltakepartinavarietyofSOL-basededucationprogramsthroughouttheday.SOLstrandtopicswillincludespeciallydesignedactivitiesfromLifeProcesses,LivingSystems,EarthPatterns,CyclesandChange,andResources.Indoorandoutdoorprogramswillfocusonconservation,environmentaleducation,andnaturalresources.Bothmorningandafternoonsessionswillbeheld.Formoreinformationortoregister,call276-634-4185.

VMNH interpreter Evelyn Trent shows visitors poison ivy and summer plants.

Earth Day

Earth Day

VMNHVMNH

Newsletter ProductionEditorRyanL.Barber

ArtDirectorMelodyCartwright

ManagingEditorJessicaDavenport

CopyEditorZacharyS.Ryder

Executive StaffInterimExecutiveDirectorandDirectorofAdministrationandServicesGloriaW.Niblett

DirectorofResearchandCollectionsDr.JamesBeard

DirectorofEducationandPublicProgramsDr.DennisA.Casey

DirectorofMarketingandExternalAffairsRyanL.Barber

DirectorofDevelopmentDebraJ.Lewis

The Virginia Museum of Natural History at 21 Starling Avenue, Martinsville, VA is the state museum of natural history for Virginia, seeking to preserve, study and interpret the wealth of Virginia’s natural heritage. The Museum promotes research, education, exhibits, publications and programs in natural history.

VMNH ADMISSION$9/Adults, $7/College Students and Senior Citizens, and $5/Children and Youth 3 to 18. Children under 3 and VMNH members are always free with membership card! Group rates are available.

VMNH HOURSTuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Museum is currently closed on Sundays, Mondays, and all state holidays. Please call ahead for current hours of operation.

The Museum is within easy driving distance of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Roanoke, Lynchburg, Danville and Greensboro, NC. For more information about membership, Museum exhibits, group tours, or special events, please visit our Web site at www.vmnh.net or call 276-634-4141.

The Virginia Museum of Natural History is accredited by the American Association of

Museums and is a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers, Southeastern

Museums Conference, Natural Science Collections Alliance, Virginia Association of Museums, and Museum Store Association.

VMNH is an agency of the Secretary of Natural Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The VMNH Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization.

VMNH • Virginia, Naturally 7Lunch at the

The PALEO Café now serves lunch, with deli sandwiches, gourmet soups, and organic salad mixes. Also, don’t miss the delectable desserts and Seattle’s Best Coffee© items.

Visitwww.vmnh.netforPALEOCaféhoursand

listingsofdelicioussoupsoftheday.

Perriello Ceremony

Congressman Tom Perriello was sworn in during a reenactment of his official ceremony. Constituents were able to talk with him afterwards in the Museum’s Great Hall. Upper right hand photo: with Martinsville Vice Mayor Kimble Reynolds and Mayor Kathy Lawson.

21 Starling AvenueMartinsville, VA 24112

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NON PROFITUS POSTAGE PAIDMartinsville, VAPERMIT NO. 456

Corporate Members

Let the PALEO Café cater your next event.

Staff UpdatesUpcoming EventsVMNH • Virginia, Naturally8

green initiative

AspartofVMNH’sGreenInitiative,thenewsletterisprintedonrecycledpaper.Inaddition,itisprintedwithvegetable-basedink.

Learnmoreatwww.vmnh.netApril22 EarthDayCelebration,9:30a.m.to4p.m.

VMNHFoundationThomasJeffersonAwards, 6to7:30p.m.

April23 Darwin: Evidence & Evolution, Darwin’s Enchanted Islandsexhibitsclose.

May2 VMNHFoundationGala.

May16 Rediscovering the Forgotten Gardenexhibitopens.

May27–29 SoutheasternAssociationofVertebrate PaleontologyAnnualMeeting.

May30 BugDazefamilyfestival,10a.m.to4p.m.

June27 Wonders of the Deep: Marine Mollusksexhibitcloses. “Canoe&Que”sponsoredbyYoungFriends

July18 Clues to the Past: Archaeology in Virginiaexhibitopens.

July25 ReptileDayfamilyfestival,10a.m.to4p.m.

August28 Founder’sDayCelebration.

September19 VirginiaCulturalFestival,10a.m.to4p.m.

October3 VMNHFoundationGolfTournament.

October17 OutdoorFunFestival&ChiliCookoff, 10a.m.to4p.m.

Timothy J. GetterecentlyresignedasexecutivedirectorofVMNHtobecomeexecutivedirectoroftheInstituteofTexanCulturesinSanAntonio.

Gloria Niblettisnowservingasinterimexecutivedirector.Niblettisalsodirectorofadministrationandservices.

Dr. James Beardisnowdirectorofresearchandcollectionsinadditiontohisroleascuratorofearthsciences.

Dr. Richard Hoffman,curatorofrecentinvertebrates,retiredafter20yearsofservice.

Debbie NortonjoinedthestaffasaneducationassistantonFebruary4.

Recent Volunteers of the MonthJanuary,Gene Baird;February,Aileen Bourne;and,March,Latrell Wells.

Domino’sPizza,Food4Fun,Inc.,Pigs-R-Us,

Inc.,PizzaHut,QualityInn/DutchInn,

SusanCritzCatering,Tacoma,Inc.,

CarterBank&Trust,Gardner,Barrow,

Sharpe&Reynolds,P.C.,HookerFurniture

Corporation,LesterGroup,PepperMoon

Catering,King’sGrantRetirementCenter.,

KingsMountainAnimalClinic,

MartinsvilleFirstSavingsBank,

NorrisFuneralServices,Inc.,

OfficeofRaymondF.Mallinak,DDS,

QualityCateringandTheGallery,

S&KOfficeProducts,Inc.,Sells,Hogg&

Jones,CPAsP.C.,T.R.Properties,Inc.