A Flowering of Science: Plants from Captain Cook’s First Voyage, 1768-1771 (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1983 April 26 - 1983 July 8

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened in April 26, 1983 and closed July 8, 1983. Located in the Naturemax Gallery at the American Museum of Natural History. "A Flowering of Science: Plants from Captain Cook's First Voyage 1768-1771" was on display as part of the city-wide "Britain Salutes New York 1983."

Summary

"A Flowering of Science: Plants from Captain Cook's First Voyage 1768-1771" was on display as part of the city-wide "Britain Salutes New York 1983." On exhibit was information on Captain Cook's voyage and its importance to science as well as botanical engravings of some of the plants that were collected. Also on view were living examples of some of the plants, dried botanical specimens collected on the voyage, some watercolors upon which the engravings were based and original copperplates. Captain Cook took with him on HMS Endeavour a party of scientists including botanists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander. Specimens which were new to European botany were given to natural history draftsman, Sydney Parkinson, who made watercolor sketches from the fresh plants. With the cooperation of the British Museum of Natural History, the exhibit was on view in the Naturemax Gallery of the American Museum of Natural History from April 26 through July 8, 1983. Afterwards, the exhibit was circulated by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in a national tour.

Individuals and institutions involved in the creation of the exhibition: British Museum of Natural History.

Sources

American Museum of Natural History Press Release, February 17, 1983. Departmental Records, 101; American Museum of Natural History Library Archives.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. Naturemax Gallery.
Location of exhibition.

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