EVOLUTION OF THE MUSEUM OF THE EARTH

The Museum of the Earth (MOTE) at the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) is an 18,000 square foot museum, opening Summer 2003. It’s mission is the public presentation of earth science and paleontology, drawing on the millions of specimens within PRI’s collections. Earth science tourism is already a staple of our region. Close to five million people per year travel here to visit one of 27 Finger Lakes State Parks. We plan to capitalize on this already established interest in Earth science.

Communicating Earth science content to the public will be done via a variety of media; exhibits, graphic panels, dioramas, and educational programs. This specimen-rich museum is organized around the chronological history of life on Earth, while integrating major earth science processes – plate tectonics, stratigraphy, evolution, climate and biodiversity. Four object theaters carry the narrative strand throughout the Museum, immersing visitors in audio-visual presentations keyed to specimens within each theater and presenting a fast-paced journey through time. Visitors exit each theater and enter one of three “moments in time” -- the Devonian World of Central New York; the Triassic-Jurassic of the Connecticut River Valley; and the Quaternary World of New York. Within each of these worlds visitors find interactive labs where they can interact with docents, experiment with real specimens, and engage in hands-on scientific experiences.

MOTE’s close relationship with earth scientists at Cornell University enables us to highlight ongoing research. Featured exhibits include those on plate tectonics in the Adirondak Mountains, fish evolution in the Connecticut River Valley, and the discovery of the Triassic-Jurassic boundary in Pennsylvania.

People connect with Earth history in multiple ways. From the grandeur of a full scale installation of 540 bas relief tiles, one for each million years of Earth history, to changing displays of children’s Earth history art, this museum will be a showcase for natural history art. In addition, MOTE commissioned both musical and theatrical compositions, showing visitors still other ways to connect with earth science.

This poster will present the conceptual background for this project, as well as architectural drawings, models, and photos of completed portions of the Museum.