America's Oldest Natural History Museum Kicks Off Countdown to Bicentennial Celebration

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Aug 31, 2011, 09:03 ET

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Academy of Natural Sciences, the nation's oldest natural history museum, this week kicks off a 200-day countdown to a yearlong bicentennial celebration with a fascinating peek at its past and a look ahead to its third century.

The celebration beginning March 21, 2012 will feature a major new exhibition, national scientific symposium, special programs with noted speakers, discounted museum admission days, and a new book on the Academy's history.

The countdown to the big day begins Saturday, Sept. 3, when the Academy posts the first of 200 fascinating short stories on its website, www.ansp.org/200. The stories—some well-known but most little-known—will reveal fascinating tidbits about the institution, its history, key leaders and enormous contributions to scientific knowledge. The stories will culminate the day before the 200th anniversary of the Academy's founding.

"This is an exciting time in the Academy's history as we charge forward into our third century as one of the world's great natural history museums," said Academy President and CEO George W. Gephart, Jr.

Since its founding by seven amateur naturalists, the Academy has carried out its mission to encourage and cultivate the sciences, exploring the remarkable diversity of the natural world and sharing these discoveries with the public through innovative exhibits, publications and educational programming. In May, the Academy announced plans to affiliate with Drexel University, creating a nationally recognized powerhouse for discovery in the natural and environmental sciences.

Highlights of the celebration include:

The Academy at 200: The Nature of Discovery, March 24, 2012 to March 2013. Building on the Academy's extraordinary collections and 200 years of scientific exploration, this exhibit celebrates the museum's groundbreaking discoveries and provides a glimpse into the future.
Bicentennial Weekend, March 24 and 25, 2012. The bicentennial officially begins with the opening of a major exhibit about the Academy, special appearances, fun hands-on activities, music, games, crafts, and, of course, birthday cake.
Center for Environmental Policy Town Square Series, April 2012 through June 2013. The Academy will host panel discussions and presentations by globally prominent speakers on critical issues of sustainability and the environment.
Bicentennial Scientific Symposium, October 11 and 12, 2012. Scientists from around the nation will gather to discuss "Biological Diversity: From Evolutionary Origins to Ecosystem Functionality." The symposium will include a general public component.