The Dinosaurs of Jurassic Park (Exhibition)
Dates
- Existence: 1993 June 11 - 1993 September 12
Summary
Abstract:
Exhibition. Opened June 11, 1993 and closed September 12, 1993. Located in Section 3, Floor 3 in Gallery 3 at the American Museum of Natural History. The Dinosaurs of Jurassic Park opened in conjunction with the film Jurassic Park, directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the novel by Michael Crichton. It displayed full-sized models from the film with fossil specimens from the Museum’s own collection, highlighting the differences between science fiction and the research done at the Museum.
Description
"The Dinosaurs of Jurassic Park" opened in conjunction with the film Jurassic Park, directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the novel by Michael Crichton. It displayed full-sized models from the film with fossil specimens from the Museum’s own collection, highlighting the differences between science fiction and the research done at the Museum. The exhibition, presented by both the Museum and the Dinosaur Society, was organized by Peter May of Research Castings International Productions, Inc.; dinosaur paleontologist and assistant curator at the Museum, Mark Norell; and Don Lessem, founder of the Dinosaur Society (1). A related program, Fantasy Dinosaurs on Film, which featured excerpts from early science fictions films, and a lecture and demonstration of special effects techniques (2).
Sections included (1):
*Recreated jungle setting from the movie with dinosaur models from the film including Velociraptor, Tyrannosaurus rex, Dilophosaurus, the sick Triceratops, and the head of a Brachiosaurus.
*Models of dinosaurs not seen in the film including Compsognathus, a baby Triceratops with its mother, and Struthiomimus.
*A section recreating the Visitors Center from the film with casts of full-size skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus rex attacking an Alamosaurus, and a series of exhibits showing parts of the world where dinosaur fossils are found, the time periods in which dinosaurs lived, and the evolutionary relationships between dinosaurs
*A section featuring the Museum’s dinosaur fossil collection including a skull of Tyrannosaurus rex, one of only four Velociraptor skulls ever discovered, fossilized skin from a duck-billed dinosaur, one of the first dinosaur nests ever found, the only known Orintholestes skull, the braincase of a Tyrannosaurus rex, and Mononykus
Other highlights (1):
*Ancient insects fossilized in amber
*Information on molecular research at the Museum
*Text and photographs
*Interactive computer exhibits on DNA and how it is cloned.
*Practical applications of genetic technology and information about dinosaurs and their world presented on computer terminals
*Video clips from the film Jurassic Park
*Footage of the Museum’s fossil expeditions to Mongolia in the 1920s and 1990s
This is a condensed summary of the exhibition. For additional information, see Sources and/or Related Resources.
REFERENCES
(1) American Museum of Natural History. Press Release. "The Dinosaurs of Jurassic Park: June 11 – September 12, 1993." June 1993. Special Collections Vertical Files. American Museum of Natural History Library.
(2) American Museum of Natural History. Press Release. "Special Program Features ‘Fantasy Dinosaurs on Film’ July 20, 1993, 7:00 P.M." June 1993. Special Collections Vertical Files. American Museum of Natural History Library.
(3) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1992-1993.
Places
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New York (N.Y.)
- Note: AMNH, Section 3, Floor 3, Gallery 3
