Fernbank Museum of Natural History

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Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Fernbank Museum of Natural History - Dinosaur Entrance Plaza.JPG
Established 1992
Location 767 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta
Type Natural History
Director Susan E. Nuegent
Website Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Fernbank Museum of Natural History, in Atlanta, is a museum that presents exhibitions and programming about natural history that are meant to entertain as well as educate the public. Its mission is to encourage a greater appreciation of the planet and its people. Fernbank Museum has a number of permanent exhibitions and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions in its expansive facility, designed by Graham Gund Architects. Giants of the Mesozoic, on display in the atrium of Fernbank Museum, features a 123-foot (37 m) long Argentinosaurus (the largest dinosaur ever classified) as well as a Giganotosaurus. The permanent exhibition, A Walk Through Time in Georgia, tells the twofold story of Georgia's natural history and the development of the planet. Fernbank Museum has won several national and international awards for its newest permanent exhibition, Fernbank NatureQuest, an immersive, interactive exhibition for children that was designed and produced by Thinkwell Group.[1] The awards NatureQuest has won include the 2012 Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement for a Museum Exhibit[2] and the 2011 Bronze Award for Best Museum Environment from Event Design.[3] The nearby Fernbank Science Center is a separate organization operated by the DeKalb County Board of Education and is not affiliated with Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Fernbank, Inc.).

History

In the late 1800s, a nature-lover named Emily Harrison grew up in an area east of Atlanta which she called "Fernbank". Along with others, Harrison created a charter for Fernbank in 1938 and purchased the 70 acres (280,000 m2) of woodland on which Fernbank Museum now stands. In 1964, the Fernbank trustees and the DeKalb County School System created Fernbank Science Center, which led to a desire to share Fernbank's resources with the general public.[4]

Inside Fernbank

Following master planning and designs by the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based architectural firm, Graham Gund Architects, ground was broken in 1989, and on October 5, 1992, Fernbank Museum of Natural History opened to the public. The new building is carefully located behind a row of historic houses, and features a glass-enclosed atrium overlooking Fernbank Forest. Fernbank Museum now stands on 65 acres (260,000 m2) of the largest old-growth urban Piedmont forest in the country.[5]

IMAX theatre

Fernbank is home to the Rankin M. Smith, Sr. IMAX Theatre. All films are presented on a screen measuring five stories high and 72 feet (22 m) wide. Selection changes throughout the year.

Special programming

Fernbank engages the community with an array of special activities for adults and children including summer camps, lectures, workshops, interactive conversations, family activity days, and storytelling.

One of Fernbank’s most popular events, Martinis & IMAX runs every Friday evening, January through November, and features IMAX films, drinks, food and live music.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://thinkwellgroup.com/projects/naturequest-at-fernbank-museum-of-natural-history/
  2. ↑ http://www.teaconnect.org/18th-thea-awards
  3. ↑ http://eventdesignmag.com/2011/06/28/2011-event-design-award-winners/
  4. ↑ http://www.fernbankmuseum.org/visit-fernbank/about-fernbank/history/
  5. ↑ http://www.fernbankmuseum.org/visit-fernbank/about-fernbank/history/

External links

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