Pasteur Centenary (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1923, Winter - 1923, Winter

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Open in Winter 1923. Located in Section 3, Floor 1 in the Jesup Hall of North American Woods at the American Museum of Natural History. The Louis Pasteur Centenary, curated by George F. Kunz and in cooperation with the New York Mineralogical Club, the New York Academy of Medicine, the New York State Board of Health, and the United States Department of Agriculture, featured photographs, paintings, statues, letters, autographs, and memorabilia, and recreated some of Pasteur's most famous experiments.

Summary

The Louis Pasteur Centenary, curated by George Kunz and in cooperation with several institutional partners, including the New York Mineralogical Club, the New York Academy of Medicine, the New York State Board of Health, and the United States Department of Agriculture, featured "hundreds of photographs, paintings, statues, letters, autographs, and memorabilia" (1, p. 391) as well as recreated some of Pasteur's most famous experiments.

In an article for the July/August issue of Natural History, curator George F. Kunz describes the background of the exhibition, including the contributions from members of the United States Department of Agriculture (2, p. 391):

*Dr. E.D. Ball, director of scientific work

*Dr. E.T. Wherry, for the exhibit on the development of isomerism in crystals

*Dr. Charles Thom, of the Bureau of Chemistry, for the series showing experiments in lactic and alcoholic fermentation, processes carried out by Pasteur controverting the theory of spontaneous generation, aerobic and anaerobic life, and proof of germs in the atmosphere

*Dr. John S. Buckley and Dr. W.S. Gochenour, of the Bureau of Animal Industry, for an exhibit illustrating the work carried out by Pasteur on anthrax, chicken cholera, and rabies

*B.A. Linden, of the Bureau of Chemistry, contributed drawings, photo-micrographs, culture media, and glassware similar to that used by Pasteur

The flasks used in the lactic fermentation exhibit were exact reproductions of those used by Pasteur. The flasks on view contained bouillon, one of which had been heated to sterilize its contents and another that had been inoculated with cabbage, which caused the lactic organism to grow in great numbers (2, p. 392).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture intended to make a permanent exhibition from the Pasteur Centenary exhibition in Washington D.C. (2, p. 396)

This is a condensed summary of the exhibition. For additional information, see Sources and/or Related Resources.

Sources

(1) Kunz, George F. "Louis Pasteur and His Benefactions to Mankind Exemplified in the Centenary Exhibition Recently Held at the American Museum." Natural History. July/August 1923: 391-396.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. Jesup Hall of North American Woods.
Location, referred to as "hall of forestry" in documentation (2, 1923, p. 196).

Ball, E.D.
Director of scientific work at the United States Department of Agriculture, credited as a contributor to exhibition (1, 1923, p. 391)

Buckley, John S.
From the Bureau of Animal Industry, with W.S. Gochenour, demonstrated Pasteur's work on anthrax, chicken cholera, and rabies (1, 1923, p. 391)

Gochenour, William S. (William Sylva), 1891-
From the Bureau of Animal Industry, with John S. Buckley, demonstrated Pasteur's work on anthrax, chicken cholera, and rabies (1, 1923, p. 391)

Kunz, George Frederick 1856-1932
Curator of exhibition, research associate of gems at the Museum (2, 1923, p. 196)

Linden, B.A.
From the Bureau of Chemistry, contributed drawings, photo-micrographs, culture media, and glassware similar to that used by Pasteur, credited for the coordination and installation of the exhibit at the Museum (1, 1923, p. 391)

New York (N.Y.). Board of Health
Institutional partner (1, 1923, p. 391)

New York Academy of Medicine
Institutional partner (1, 1923, p. 391)

New York Mineralogical Club
Institutional partner (1, 1923, p. 391)

Pasteur, Louis, 1822-1895
Featured

Thom, Charles, 1872-1956
From the Bureau of Chemistry, contributed series showing experiments in lactic and alcoholic fermentation, processes carried out by Pasteur controverting the theory of spontaneous generation, aerobic and anaerobic life, and proof of germs in the atmosphere (1, 1923, p. 391)

United States Department of Agriculture
Institutional partner (1, 1923, p. 391)

Wherry, E.T.
From the United States Department of Agriculture, credited for exhibit's reference to the development of isomerism in crystals (1, 1923, p. 391)

Related Resources

American Museum of Natural History Special Collections vertical files 
Repository: AMNH Special Collections [Natural History articles]

Catalogue of objects exhibited in connection with the celebration of the Centenary of the birth of Louis Pasteur.
Date of resource: 1923; The New York Academy of Medicine ... December 26, 1922 to January 10th, 1923; Q143.P2 C38 1923

Natural history.
"Pasteur Exhibit." March/April 1923: 196; Kunz, George F. "Louis Pasteur and His Benefactions to Mankind Exemplified in the Centenary Exhibition Recently Held at the American Museum." July/August 1923: 391-396.

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