The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1999 April 10 - 1999 October 11

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened April 10, 1999 and closed October 11, 1999. Located in Section 1A, Floor 1 in Gallery 77 at the American Museum of Natural History. The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition featured more than 150 photographs by the Endurance’s ship photographer, Frank Hurley, as well as artifacts, film footage, diaries, and models, which told the story of the 1914 expedition and the survival of its members.

Summary

The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition featured more than 150 photographs by the Endurance’s ship photographer, Frank Hurley, as well as artifacts, film footage, diaries, and models, which told the story of the 1914 expedition and the survival of its members. The exhibition was curated by Ross D.E. MacPhee, chairman and curator of the Museum’s Department of Mammalogy, and guest curator and author of the companion book of the same name, Caroline Alexander (1).

The story of the expedition, the Endurance’s break-up on the ice, which forced the crew to abandon ship, as well as sections on Sir Ernest Shackleton and James Francis “Frank” Hurley, navigation, and portraits of crew members were enhanced by computer animation and videos and Hurley’s photographs and film footage (1).

Highlights (1):

*Frank Hurley’s photographs, printed from the original negatives and displayed chronologically

*Timeline of historic maps from the 16th through 20th centuries

*The James Caird, the lifeboat that carried Shackleton and five crew members

*Sextant used in the crossing and interactive sextant for visitors to handle

*Interactive computer that allowed visitors to learn about the challenges of open-boat navigation

*Videos narrated by actor Liam Neeson, which examined the historic, geographic, and scientific context of the voyage

*An engraved plexiglass reproduction of the Endurance

*The diary of Endurance shipwright and carpenter, Henry McNish

*The pocket Bible of Endurance navigator, Huberht Hudson

*A panel presenting contemporary research in the Antarctic

The Museum’s Department of Exhibition designed and executed the exhibition under the direction of vice president for exhibition, David Harvey. The exhibition was made possible by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Cullman 3rd. Special programming for the exhibition including a lecture series, family workshop featuring live penguins presented by the Museum’s Department of Education, and Discovery Tours from the Museum’s educational travel program. In association with the Museum, White Mountain Films and NOVA (WBGH-Boston) produced two film versions of Caroline Alexander’s book written and co-produced by Alexander in both theatrical documentary and IMAX formats (1).

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. "The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition April 10-October 11, 1999." April 1999. Departmental Records, DR 101. American Museum of Natural History Library.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

Alexander, Caroline, 1956-
Co-curator of exhibition; author of companion book, The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition published by Alfred A. Knopf (1)

American Museum of Natural History. Department of Education.
Presented related programming, including a special lecture series and family workshops (1)

American Museum of Natural History. Department of Exhibition.
Designed and executed exhibition (1)

American Museum of Natural History. Gallery 77.
Location of exhibition 1999 April 10 – 1999 October 11 (1)

Cullman, Joseph F. (Joseph Frederick) 1912-2004
Sponsor of exhibition along with his wife (1)

Harvey, David 1950-
Exhibition designed and executed under his direction; vice president, Museum Department of Exhibition (1)

Hurley, Frank 1885-1962
Expedition photographer; photographs and films featured in exhibition (1)

Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914-1917)
Shackleton’s Endurance expedition featured in exhibition (1)

MacPhee, R. D. E.
Co-curator of exhibition; chairman and curator, Museum Department of Mammalogy (1)

Shackleton, Ernest Henry
Endurance expedition leader (1)

Related Resources

American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1998-1999.
Pages 6, 23, 31-32, 39.

American Museum of Natural History. Press Kit. “The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition April 10-October 11, 1999.” [1999] DR 103a
[Press release; teacher’s guide, invitations to reception; brochures for Museum Department of Education related lecture series; flyer from Alfred A. Knopf for book The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition by Caroline Alexander]

American Museum of Natural History press releases, 1933-1990s, DR 101
“The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition April 10-October 11, 1999.” April 1999; “Special Programs for The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition.” April 1999; “Artifacts from The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition.” [1999]; “Expedition Timeline: The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition.” [1999]; “Biography: Ross D.E. MacPhee, Chairman and Curator, Department of Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History.” [1999]; Biography: Sir Ernest Shackleton, 1874-1922.” [1999]

subjectOf

American Museum of Natural History. “Shackleton.” Accessed 26 September 2018
Exhibition website

American Museum of Natural History Special Collections vertical files 
[Brochure from the National Science Foundation for The United States Antarctic Program; news articles; Rotunda article; brochures for Museum Department of Education related lecture series; teacher’s guide]

Rotunda.
“The Endurance” (Vol. 24, No. 3; March 1999)

subjectOf

The Endurance : Shackleton's legendary Antarctic expedition / Caroline Alexander ; in association with the American Museum of Natural History ; [photographs by Frank Hurley].
Date of resource: 1998; G850 1914 .A44 1998

subjectOf

The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition exhibition photographic slides. American Museum of Natural History Library Special Collections.
Date of resource: 1999; 0.5 Linear Feet (1 box) 488 Photographic Slides : color ; 35 mm; Identifier: PSC 659

subjectOf

The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition : [videorecording]. American Museum of Natural History Library Special Collections.
Date of resource: 1999-2006; 1 DAT (1 DAT), 1 Videorecordings (1 DVCPro), 1 DVD (1 DVD), 12 Videorecordings (12 Beta SP), 2 CD (2 CD), 2 Videorecordings (2 Mini DV), 4 Videorecordings (4 DVcam), 5 Videorecordings (5 VHS); Identifier: EXH.066

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