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The saltwater marsh diorama

 Collection
Identifier: Film Collection no. 270

Scope and Contents

This film depicts the step-by-step construction of a diorama of the marsh at the Thames Science Center in New London, Connecticut, from the collection of accessories to the completed exhibit. Preparation begins at the Pattagansett salt-water marsh near Niantic, Connecticut. A stereoscopic camera is used to record the sand dunes, tidal estuary, flood plains, and freshwater inlet, which will serve as models for the background painting. Leaf, grass, and plant specimens are collected and preserved in a Formalin solution. Plaster casts are made of the specimens. The casts are placed in a vacuum and covered with cellulose acetate. This process produces a sheet of plastic leaves, which will be cut out and painted for the exhibit. AMNH preparator Raymond H. de Lucia's first draws the background in charcoal before working on the foreground. The diorama begins to take shape and is then moved from his studio, at his home, to the Thames Science Center, where the finishing touches are added. Crabs, snails, a heron, clapper rail, and snowy egret prepared by David Schwendeman, an AMNH taxidermist, are placed in the exhibit.

Dates

  • 1981

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

Not available through interlibrary loan. Contact AMNH Library Special Collections for terms of access.

Extent

1 Film Reel (26 minutes) : sound, color ; 16 mm.

1 Videocassette (U-Matic (26 minutes)) : sound, color ; 3/4 in.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

3/4 in., U-Matic, viewing copy

Other Finding Aids

Finding aid: script.

General

Original format: 16 mm. print.

General

http://libcat1.amnh.org/record=b1140473

General

Ray de Lucia, producer and narrator; Wil Blanche, photographer.

Title
The saltwater marsh diorama, 1981
Author
Iris Lee
Date
2018
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Museum Archives at the Gottesman Research Library Repository

Contact:
American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West
New York NY 10024 USA
(212) 769-5420