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THE MANITOBA MUSEUM INSIDER VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 2 • SUMMER 2015 Alloway Hall Expansion Announced In This Issue: Museum Honours Volunteers 2 Fur Trade Exhibit Open 3 The Vault 4 Planetarium Schedule 4 On March 4, The Manitoba Museum announced the first phase of its Capital Renewal Plan – the $5.3 million expansion and renovation of our Alloway Hall exhibition space. Hour of Operation: Closed Mondays Open: Tue–Fri 10am–4pm Sat-Sun, Holiday Mondays 11am–5pm Summer hours begin May 16 Open Daily: 10am–5pm Contact: 190 Rupert Avenue at Main Street Infoline: (204) 943-3139 manitobamuseum.ca manitobamuseum This project has been made possible by over $3.8 million in lead support from the Province of Manitoba, and important investments from the Government of Canada ($1 million) and The Winnipeg Foundation $500,000). “The expansion of Alloway Hall is a very exciting step for our Museum, which will allow us to bring in the biggest and best travelling exhibits from around the world,” said Claudette Leclerc, CEO. “The success of past exhibits such as Dinosaurs Unearthed, Real Pirates and Wrapped: The Mummy of Pesed has been a tipping point for the Museum. We believe a new, enlarged exhibition space is a major part of building an exciting and bold future for The Manitoba Museum.” The expansion and renovation will nearly double the space of the current Alloway Hall, and will consist of upgrades to the entire hall, including the replacement of acoustical ceiling tiles and installation of terrazzo floors, a new theatrical lighting system, a new sound system and new security cameras. The majority of the renovation and expansion work is expected to be completed by the end of 2016. WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE SUPPORT OF OUR PARTNERS MUSEUM HONOURS VOLUNTEERS On April 20, 2015, the Museum hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation event in Festival Hall. During our 2014-15 year, 343 volunteers contributed 18,269 hours in all areas of the institution. Between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2015, 72 Museum members combined to donate $4,235 to support the Museum in its mission to collect, preserve and share the cultural and natural heritage of Manitoba. Thank you for your commitment to The Manitoba Museum, and for supporting the work that we do! At this year’s event, three volunteers were honoured and thanked for their long service to the Museum. The Museum’s longest-serving volunteer, Doreen Romanow, was recognized for 45 years of service with the Programs department. Ruth Dowse was thanked for her 25 year commitment to the Technical Arts department, and Joan Mosher was recognized for 10 years of service in the Archaeology lab. Our dedicated corps of volunteers, including the Board of Governors, contributes significantly to the Museum’s success and achievements every year. Thank you to all of our volunteers – we couldn’t do it without you! DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT US! Your Manitoba Museum membership grants you access to over 25 science centres across Canada. Don’t leave home without us! Bring your membership cards with you when travelling this summer and take advantage of this terrific benefit! A complete list of participating institutions can be found at: manitobamuseum.ca/main/support/ membership-2/benefits-2/ ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Join us for The Manitoba Museum’s Annual General Meeting – Thursday, June 18th at 5:00 pm in the 3rd floor Boardroom. For more information on the Annual General Meeting, contact Claudette Leclerc, CEO, at 204-988-0630 or [email protected]. To RSVP, contact the membership office at 204-988-0647 or [email protected]. (L-R) Noreen Hees, (Volunteer Resources Manager), Doreen Romanow, Jeoff Chipman (Chair, Board of Governors), Claudette Leclerc (CEO), Ruth Dowse, Joan Mosher NEW EXHIBIT EXAMINES FUR TRADE IN MANITOBA Travel back in time with our newest Discovery Room exhibit Trade: Materials and Ideas in Transition. Manitoba’s fur trade began in 1682, and scholars continue to use as many sources as possible, like oral histories, archival documents and artefacts, to better understand the time period. This exhibit draws on the archaeological and ethnographic collections housed at the Museum, and examines how First Nations and European communities adopted and modified each other’s technologies to suit their own needs. If you look closely, you’ll find that some of these technologies are still used today! Trade: Materials and Ideas in Transition is open until October 12 in the Museum Galleries, and is included with Museum membership. THE VAULT Finding Endangered Plants Contributed by Diana Robson, Curator of Botany Lori’s Water-lily is a newly recognized rare species in Manitoba. Everyone has heard of endangered species but most people don’t know the role that museums play in their conservation. Before a species can be legally protected, scientists must prepare a report that describes the species’ distribution, habitat and biology as well as noting current or potential threats to its survival. The first step in assessing whether a species is rare is to look at museum collections. The Manitoba Museum has over 47,000 preserved plant specimens in its collection, called a herbarium. These herbarium specimens and the data collected about them, help scientists determine how rare a species truly is. The botanical curators at the Museum have been involved in the identification and assessment of many rare plants including Buffalograss, Hairy Prairie-clover, Small White Lady’s-slipper, Smooth Goosefoot and Western Silvery Aster. Most recently I was involved in the documentation of a new Canadian species: Lori’s Water-lily (Nymphaea loriana). Although Lori’s Water-lily has likely existed in Manitoba for thousands of years, scientists did not realize it was unique until they studied old herbarium specimens of it. After going on several field trips to the areas where the first collectors found these water lilies, my colleagues and I were able to collect fresh leaf samples so that genetic research could be done. A description of this new species was published in a scientific journal late last year and it is now “officially recognized.” As it is an endemic plant (meaning it is found nowhere else in the world), I have been working to ensure that Lori’s Waterlily receives protection under our provincial and federal endangered species legislation. Every species plays a role in the ecosystem where it lives. Museum collections help us determine which ones are in trouble. (L) Herbarium specimens, like this Small White Lady’s-slipper, help scientists determine whether a species is in danger. (R) The status report on the rare Smooth Goosefoot was written by the Museum’s Curator of Botany. The Museum’s Curator of Botany conducts field research on rare plants like Hairy Prairie-clover and its pollinators. The Manitoba Museum proudly acknowledges the 2014-15 sponsors and funders. Alloway World Exhibits Educational Programming Access For All Manitoba Day MuZZZeum Sleepovers Explore Science Zone Love Thy Nonsuch Spring Break Discovery Room Annual Community Celebration 2014 tribute Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors Corporate Sponsors Event Supporters: SUMMER MUSEUM ADVENTURE CAMP Registration Now Open Our 5-day history- and science-themed camps are perfect for children in grades K-5. Cost per week (inc. GST): $175 (members) $195 (non-members) PLANETARIUM SCHEDULE Effective May 16, 2015 Monday – Friday: 2:30 – Ice Worlds 3:30 – Wonders of the Universe Saturdays, Sundays & Holiday Mondays: 11:00, 2:00 – One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure 12:00, 4:00 – Wonders of the Universe 1:00, 3:00 – Live with the Stars Additional siblings get $20 off per week For more information, or to register, contact Nicole at (204) 988-0626, or [email protected]. SHARE YOUR LOVE OF HISTORY & SCIENCE WITH YOUR GRANDCHILDREN! Add your grandchildren to your Senior or Senior Couple membership for $10 per child. Ice Worlds One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure For more details, call Ashleigh at (204) 988-0647. Wonders of the Universe The Manitoba Museum is a charitable, non-profit organization. Membership is the simplest way to enjoy the history-, science-, and space-themed learning experiences the Museum offers all year long. By purchasing a Manitoba Museum membership, you are supporting the Museum in its mission to collect, research, preserve and share the stories of our province.