EUGENE, Ore. — (April 4, 2012) — The Museum of Natural and Cultural History at the University of Oregon will host its annual Identification Day and Roadshow from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, April 14. Visitors can bring objects such as fossils, rocks or handmade artifacts to the museum, where a panel of experts will help identify them.
While no appraisals will be given at the event, Patricia Krier, the museum's public programs director, said that helping people identify significant objects promotes awareness and stewardship of Oregon's natural and cultural history.
"Last year, we helped a visitor identify a dinosaur bone as well as several interesting examples of basketry and ceramics," Krier said. "People tend to leave the event with a renewed appreciation for the importance of proper care and storage of such objects. In some cases, visitors have donated objects to the museum or other institutions for further study."
The museum has enlisted the help of archaeologists, paleontologists, geologists, as well as tribal members, all of whom are knowledgeable about prehistoric and historic materials.
Museum archaeologists Tom Connolly and Patrick O'Grady will help visitors with prehistoric artifacts such as ceramics, stone tools and non-fossilized bones. Joining them will be Andrew Boehm, a doctoral candidate from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Chelsea Rose of Southern Oregon University will help visitors with historic artifacts and antiques such as ceramics, glassware and other items from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
UO paleontologists Greg Retallack and Edward Davis will examine animal and plant fossils, and UO geologist Mark Reed will look at non-fossil rocks and ores. Specialists Jim Long, Brenda Brainard and Wilma Crowe will offer flint-knapping, weaving and beading demonstrations.
Regular admission rates will apply for the event. Admission also includes access to all exhibits currently on view: "Explore Oregon! in the Making," "Out in Space, Back in Time: Images from the Hubble Space Telescope," "The Art of Nature by Becky Uhler, Oregon – Where Past is Present" and "Scientific at the Core."
About the Museum of Natural and Cultural History
The UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and youths ages 17 and under, and $8 for families (two adults and up to four youths). Museum members are admitted free. Guided tours are offered each Friday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Media Contact: Denise Sorom, marketing and communications specialist, Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 541-346-5083, dsorom@uoregon.edu
Links:
Museum of Natural and Cultural History: natural-history.uoregon.edu
MNCH on Facebook: facebook.com/oregonnaturalhistory