American Museum of Natural History Research Library
author: American Museum of Natural History

Gold (Exhibition)
birth: 2006 November 18
death: 2007 August 19
Exhibition. Opened in November 18, 2006 and closed August 19, 2007. Located in Section 3, Floor 3 in Gallery 3 at the American Museum of Natural History. "Gold" was an exhibition featuring an array of 700 geological specimens and cultural objects from around the world- 100 natural specimens, 150 cultural objects, and 450 coins and gold bars- and presented the scientific and cultural story behind the metal.
Summary
"Gold" was an exhibition featuring an array of 700 geological specimens and cultural objects from around the world- 100 natural specimens, 150 cultural objects, and 450 coins and gold bars- and presented the scientific and cultural story behind the metal. Visitors also learned how gold has been located, mined, processed and turned into objects both beautiful and useful. Visitors discovered that gold has unique physical properties such as extreme malleability, reflectivity and conductivity; and they were able to walk through a 300-square-foot room completely covered in three ounces of gold. Other highlights included enormous nuggets of gold; examples of the first gold coins minted; pre-Columbian jewelry; and rare doubloons retrieved from sunken Spanish galleons. Modern objects in the exhibition included an Academy Award Oscar. Decorative objects on view included a gilded Buddha from Tibet; a Faberge egg and a brooch designed by Paloma Picasso. The exhibition was curated by the American Museum of Natural History scientist James D. Webster, Chair and Curator in the Division of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Charles Spencer, Curator in the Division of Anthropology at the Museum, acted as advisor. The exhibit was organized by the Museum in cooperation with the Houston Museum of Natural Science and was supported by the Tiffany & Co. Foundation with additional support from American Express Gold Card. The exhibit was on view in Gallery 3 of the American Museum of Natural History from November 18, 2006 through August 19, 2007.
Individuals and institutions involved in the creation of the exhibition: The Houston Museum of Natural Science; James Webster; Charles Spencer.