Profiles of the Past: Geology of Three Southwest Canyons (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1980 October 31 - 1981 May 1

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened October 31, 1980 and closed May 1, 1980. Located in Section 1A, Floor 1 in Gallery 77 at the American Museum of Natural History. Profiles of the Past: Geology of Three Southwest Canyons explored the geologic history of Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyons, and was curated by Sidney Horenstein, scientific assistant in the Museum's Department of Invertebrates.

Summary

Profiles of the Past: Geology of Three Southwest Canyons explored the geologic history of Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyons, and was curated by Sidney Horenstein of the Museum's Department of Invertebrates (1, p. 1). The exhibition was a collaboration of the Departments of Invertebrates and Exhibition (2, p. 21) and featured large photomurals by Ron Redfern, printed by Stewart Color Laboratories in New York City. In addition to specimens from the Museum's own collections, the exhibition included material from the National Park Service, the Museum of Northern Arizona, the National Geographic Society, the U.S. Geological Survey, and personal collections of several Museum staff members (1, p. 1-2). After closing at the American Museum of Natural History, the exhibition traveled to the Denver Museum of Natural History (2, p. 49-50).

Highlights (1, p. 1-2):

*Three panoramic, 160-degree, semi-circular photomurals of Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyons by Ron Redfern

*Photographs, maps, charts, diagrams, and schematic drawings of the canyons' geology

*Fossils from the areas, including dinosaur footprints, ferns, turtles, clams, and petrified wood

*Rocks and other specimens from the area

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. "New Museum Exhibition on Southwest Features Stunning Panoramas of Three Famous Canyons." October 7, 1980. 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, 1980-1981.

(3) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Reports, Departmental. "The Annual Report Department of Invertebrates for the Fiscal Year July 1, 1980 – June 30, 1981." July 1, 1981. Departmental Records, DR 098. American Museum of Natural History Library: 12.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. Department of Exhibition.
Related department (2, p. 21, 49-50)

American Museum of Natural History. Department of Invertebrates.
Related department (3, p. 12)

American Museum of Natural History. Gallery 77.
Location of exhibition 1980 October 31 – 1981 May (1, p. 1)

Denver Museum of Natural History
Exhibition traveled to Denver Musuem of Natural History after showing at American Museum of Natural History (2, p. 49-50)

Geological Survey (U.S.)
Loaned material for exhibition (1, p. 2)

Horenstein, Sidney S.
Curator of exhibition (1, p. 1)

Museum of Northern Arizona
Loaned material for exhibition (1, p. 2)

National Geographic Society (U.S.)
Loaned material for exhibition (1, p. 2)

Redfern, Ron
Photomurals featured in exhibition (1, p. 1-2)

Stewart Color Laboratories
Printed photomurals for exhibition (1, p. 2)

United States. National Park Service
Loaned material for exhibition (1, p. 2)

Related Resources

American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1980-1981.

American Museum of Natural History annual reports, 1902-2001.
"The Annual Report Department of Invertebrates for the Fiscal Year July 1, 1980 – June 30, 1981." July 1, 1981.

American Museum of Natural History press releases, 1933-1990s.
"1980 at the American Museum of Natural History." December 28, 1979.; "Calendar of Events, November 1980." September 26, 1980.; "New Museum Exhibition on Southwest Features Stunning Panoramas of Three Famous Canyons." October 7, 1980.; "Calendar of Events, December 1980." October 21, 1980.

American Museum of Natural History vertical files
Repository: AMNH Special Collections [Grapevine article, pages 49-50 of 1980-1981 Museum Annual Report]

Grapevine.
"Southwest Canyons Exhibition Opens in Gallery 77." (October/November 1980)

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