Volcano! (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1979 April 22 - 1979 July 31

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened April 22, 1979 and closed July 31, 1979. Located in Section 1A, Floor 1 in Gallery 77 at the American Museum of Natural History. Volcano! featured volcanic materials, including lava and ash from Vesuvius, showed films of other volcanos in action, and explained the benefits of volcanic eruptions. It was exhibited in conjunction with the traveling exhibition Pompeii AD79 and was prepared by the Museum's Department of Mineral Sciences under the direction of Martin Prinz.

Summary

Volcano! featured volcanic materials, including lava and ash from Vesuvius, showed films of other volcanos in action, and explained the benefits of volcanic eruptions. It was exhibited in conjunction with the traveling exhibition Pompeii AD79 and was prepared by the Museum's Department of Mineral Sciences under the direction of Martin Prinz. The exhibition was designed by Donovan and Green, Inc. and the Museum's Department of Exhibition and Graphics (2, p. 49-50; 3).

Highlights (1):

*14-foot high column of volcanic ash at entrance showing layers of pumice that fell from Vesuvius during the 79 A.D. eruption

*Film by U.S. Army and Air Force of eruption of Vesuvius in 1944

*A virtual volcano experience for visitors using lights, rumbling sounds, and photographs

*Section where visitors could look into models of volcanic lava pits

*Section featuring volcanic disasters including Mt. Pelee in 1902 and 1500 B.C. eruption of Santorini in the Aegean

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

Sources

(1) American Museum of Natural History. Press Release. "Volcano! Opens with Pompei AD79 on April 22; Famous Vesuvius Eruption and Others Explored in Exclusive American Museum Exhibition.” April 13, 1979. Departmental Records, DR 101. American Museum of Natural History Library.

(2) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1978-1979.

(3) American Museum of Natural History. Press Release. "Pompeii AD79 and Volcano! at a Glance." April 12, 1979. Departmental Records, DR 101. American Museum of Natural History Library.

For more information on this exhibition see:

"Pompei Art, 'Volcano!' Film To Be Shown." Times (Portsmouth, Ohio), April 16, 1979.

Prinz, Martin. "Fiery Vesuvius." Explorers Journal, (September 1979): 98-103.

"'Volcano!' Runs Until Sept. 13 at Museum." New York Times, August 24, 1979.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. Department of Exhibition.
Designed and installed exhibition (2, p. 49-50)

American Museum of Natural History. Department of Mineral Sciences.
Related department (1)

American Museum of Natural History. Gallery 77.
Location of exhibition 1979 April 22 – 1979 July 31 (1)

Donovan and Green
Designed exhibition (3)

Pompeii AD79 (Exhibition)
Related exhibition (1)

Prinz, Martin
Curator of exhibition; curator and Chairman of Museum's Department of Mineral Sciences (2, p. 33)

Related Resources

American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1978-1979: 2, 4, 9, 33, 48-50, 53-54, 57-60, 81-82.

American Museum of Natural History annual reports, 1902-2001.
"Report of the Scientific and Educations Departments 1978-1979 Department of Mineral Sciences.” [1979].

American Museum of Natural History press releases, 1933-1990s.
"American Museum Hosts Pompeii AD79; Nearly 1 Million Expected; Total of 1,292,129 Saw Show in Boston, Chicago and Dallas.” April 12, 1979.; "Volcano! Opens with Pompei AD79 on April 22; Famous Vesuvius Eruption and Others Explored in Exclusive American Museum Exhibition.” April 13, 1979.; "Pompeii AD79 and Volcano! Open April 22, at American Museum; 750,000 Visitors Expected, As Museum Plans to Open Daily at 9 A.M. for First Time.” January 30, 1979.; "Pompeii AD79 to Complete American Tour at American Museum of Natural History: Revised Version." February 10, 1978.; "Pompeii AD79/Volcano! Background on Ticketing Procedure and Special Viewing Hours." April 10, 1979.; "Pompeii AD79 and Volcano! at a Glance." April 12, 1979.; "Calendar of Events, April 1979." February 15, 1979.; "Calendar of Events, May 1979." March 14, 1979. American Museum of Natural History Special Collections vertical files

American Museum of Natural History Special Collections vertical files
Repository: AMNH Special Collections [News articles, black and white photo prints with captions]

Volcano! exhibition photographic slides, 1979. American Museum of Natural History Library Special Collections.

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