The new Biological Sciences Building, which is also the new home for the Museum of Natural History, was in the spotlight recently with dedication ceremonies for both facilities. Check out photos from the April 11 event at the BSB and the April 14 grand opening of the museum.
Mixing old with new, the Museum of Natural History mastodons and the modern architecture were the first to greet the eager visitors. (Photo by Leisa Thompson)
Lilikoi von May, 4, gives the Museum of Natural History’s allosaurus a taste of her stuffed snowy owl, delighting her sister Isabella, 6, during the official opening of the museum in its new space. (Photo by Leisa Thompson)
Preparing to cut a ceremonial ribbon to formally dedicate the new Biological Sciences Building are, from left, Amy Harris, director of the Museum of Natural History; Robert Denver, professor and chair of molecular, cellular and developmental biology; Elizabeth R. Cole, interim dean of LSA; President Mark Schlissel; Diarmaid Ó Foighil, professor and chair of ecology and evolutionary biology, and curator of the Museum of Zoology; Matt Friedman, director and associate curator of the Museum of Paleontology, and associate professor of earth and environmental sciences; and Knute Nadelhoffer, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, and director of the U-M Biological Station. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)
The skeleton of a mastodon watches over the visitors celebrating the dedication of the new Biological Sciences Building. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)
Gary Bohas
I was one of the many fortunate individuals who visited the new Biological Science Buildings Grand Opening on Sunday April 14th. The new museum was an exciting, informational and aesthetically pleasing experience that I was able to share with family members. It was also a special event for me because I have designed a museum (much smaller in scale) worked in Washington, D.C., in the Smithsonian Buildings and have toured and visited museums around the world.
I am a University of Michigan employee (CPP) and neighbor and had worked in the Ruthven Building before this project so I have a clear and recent perspective on the difference between the two facilities-Congratulations to the Museum team
for doing a extraordinary job of providing an exciting new venue for learning on campus.
My observation of the visitors was that they were engaged in the displays and everyone from the youngest to visitors were excited and attracted to the visual stimulus that the beautiful space has to offer. There was something to look at everywhere and many opportunities to have a “hands-on” experience which only heightened the visit.
My day was highlighted by being able to meet the Museum Director, Amy Harris who graciously took some time out to outline the process of assembling the team to create this extraordinary venue.
Gary R. Bohas
CPP