2 0 0 9 a N N U a L R E P O R T College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

connecticut state museum of natural history & connecticut ar c h A eology cente R 2 0 0 9 A n n u A l R e p o R t College of Liberal Arts and Sciences O u r M i s s i O n F r om t h e D i r e c t O r The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History and Connecticut Archaeology Center serve the University of Connecticut and the public by Dear Friends, promoting an understanding and appreciation It is with a broad and appreciative perspective that we look back this year to reflect on the life and work of Dr. Carl of our natural and cultural world, especially as Rettenmeyer, our Founding Director, who passed away on Board of Directors related to New England. April 9, 2009. William Morlock, Chairman Carl established the Museum in 1985, determined to David Bingham, M.D. give everyone in Connecticut opportunities to develop an Liz Buttner, CT Department of Education Within the mission, the Museum’s fundamental appreciation and understanding of the natural world through Carmen Cid, Biology, ECSU collections and public education. For almost 25 years, Jean Crespi, Geosciences and Biology, UConn goals are to acquire and preserve collections thanks to Carl, the Connecticut State Museum of Natural Steve Fish, CT Department of Environmental Protection History has been able to provide people of all ages with Carl Lindquist, M.D. and to use collections, exhibits, and programs: experiences that fuel and inspire their own sense of wonder Natalie Munro, Anthropology, UConn and curiosity—and for almost 25 years we have also Dennison Nash, Anthropology, UConn, Emeritus been working to grow our facility and staff so that we can Morty Ortega, Natural Resources, UConn •To cultivate an interest about natural accomplish and build upon all that Carl envisioned. Karin Peterson, CT Comm. on Culture & Tourism It has not been easy, needless to say, but Carl’s legacy David Wagner, Biology, UConn history among the citizens of Connecticut. of determination has served us well—and from our new Walter Woodward, State Historian, UConn permanent home in our own building we look to the next 25 •To communicate the significance and years with strength and tenacity. Carl’s tireless campaign Staff vulnerability of archaeological and to establish public support for a State Museum of Natural Nick Bellantoni, State Archaeologist History is the foundation on which everything has been Cheri Collins, Program Coordinator & Collection Manager natural resources. built, and this strong foundation has enabled us to share the David Colberg, Public Information & Marketing Coordinator wonders of the natural and cultural world with the citizens of Collin Harty, Exhibit & Communication Design •To enhance University learning, teaching, Connecticut and beyond. Leanne Kennedy Harty, Director and research. On behalf of the Board and Staff of the Museum and Emily Matthews, Membership Coordinator Archaeology Center, we extend our deepest thanks to the Robert Thorson, Stone Wall Initiative •To enrich elementary and secondary many members and friends whose generosity and shared Interns education. vision helped establish and grow our Museum since Carl Paige Classey first gave it life. Christina Griffin •To acquire and present knowledge Kelly Lindine Thank you. about the natural and cultural history of Work Study Connecticut and New England. & Student Staff Geoffrey Battista •To showcase the academic resources of Leanne Kennedy Harty Nicholas Bellantoni, PhD Kirsten Erickson Director State Archaeologist Hatali Patel the University of Connecticut and provide Justin Philips a public connection to them. Robert Quinn Amanda Sullivan Jacqueline Thomas Molly McCarthy Amanda Walker Yunyi Zhang Cover: fossil dinosaur footprint in Mudstone, Portland, CT. Founding Director Carl W. Rettenmeyer, 1931 - 2009. 1 Photo by Robert Rattner. h i g h l i g h t s e D u c a t i O n O. of Project courtesy Photo Photo courtesy of the UConn Ecogarden Club. As part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Mu- ology, and is displayed at the historic Squires Tavern at the Peoples Education, Outreach & Public Engagement Showcasing the involved in food production. seum of Natural History supports the University’s most fundamental Forest in Barkhamsted, CT. teaching, research, and resources of the University of Connecticut by UConn’s Forestry and Wild- academic traditions—traditions built not only on passing knowl- Through awards made from dedicated named endowment providing opportunities for the public to interact with and learn from life Club offered a hands-on edge to future generations, but also on applying this knowledge to funds, the Museum provided six UConn students with financial leading scholars in a meaningful and engaging way establishes the visit to their sugarhouse. Kevin solve problems and improve the quality of people’s lives. Through support for fieldwork and research projects this year. During this Museum and Archaeology Center as an indispensable component McBride, Associate Professor the Museum and Archaeology Center’s exhibits, campus programs, period, the Museum also participated in the Writing Internship of the University’s education and outreach responsibilities. Addi- of Anthropology at UConn and community involvement, and outreach activities, the Museum served Program in the Department of English. The program, designed for tionally, collaborations with diverse communities and organizations Director of Research for the more than 80,000 people this year. students in English and other Humanities disciplines, allows par- throughout the state make vital connections between the University Mashantucket Pequot Muse- The Museum presented 68 advertised public programs. Each ticipants to demonstrate the cognitive and communication skills and people of Connecticut, establishing important and enduring re- um and Research Center, dis- program examined the intimate connection between natural history developed as a student and demonstrate their abilities beyond a lationships between UConn and the citizens it serves. Through the cussed how Native Americans and human culture—and a unique new thematic series, The Natural typical academic environment. Museum’s permanent exhibit, Human’s Nature, campus programs, from the New England area changed from gathering and hunting History of Food, was a major vehicle for exploring this connection The Office of State Archaeology remains an important hub for community involvement, and outreach activities, the Museum served food to sophisticated agriculture practices in his lecture The Maize in 2009. Through lectures, field activities, and workshops, experts the Archaeological community—locally, regionally, and nationally. more than 80,000 people this year. Program highlights and an ac- Agricultural Revolution: Myth or Reality? Meg Harper, Director of from the University of Connecticut and other institutions helped In addition to his legislated responsibilities, Dr. Nicholas Bellan- counting of participation follows. the Public Archaeology Survey Team, Inc., discussed the seasonal Museum visitors and public program participants examine how the toni served as President of the National Association of State Ar- acquisition, preparations, rituals, and consumption of food by Na- physical and biological processes around us affect how and what chaeologists this year, leading the association in the development Public Programming The educational approach developed for tive Americans in her workshop Life Without a Supermarket -- Na- we eat, and how what we eat shapes our world and our culture. This of consensus views concerning the conservation of the Nation’s our permanent exhibit, with a focus of developing our audience’s tive American Foodways. Russell Schimmer, a PhD candidate in series was a tremendously successful multidisciplinary approach cultural resources and providing guidance and direction regard- understandings of natural and cultural history and humankind’s UConn’s Department of Natural Resources Management and Engi- to engage the public. ing laws, procedures, current research, educational programs, and intimate role in it, is at the core of a new and broader educational neering and UConn Law School student, discussed impacts of hu- In addition to presenters from the Museum’s home departments ethical standards related to the archaeology field. strategy for the Museum. This year, charged with reevaluating and man behavior, such as war and genocide, on the environment and Photos by Dollie Harvey. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Anthropology, Storrs As Connecticut’s State Archaeologist, Dr. Bellantoni receives updating our five-year Strategic Plan, we worked to incorporate key the availability of resources, such as food, by using remote sens- campus collaborators this year included the Center for Land Use numerous requests to provide special lectures about his experi- concepts of this new approach into the Museum’s educational en- ing techniques and satellite imaging in his lecture Genocide, En- Education and Research, UConn Dining Services, the College of ences investigating some of the State’s most intriguing historical deavors. In all, the Museum offered nineteen field-learning work- vironment, and Agricultural Sustainability. Cheryl Rautio, Expanded Agriculture and Natural Resources and Department of Extension, mysteries. Approximately 1,500 people attended public talks pre- shops, nine family activity programs, three ancient technologies Food & Nutrition Education Program Coordinator with the UConn the School of Fine Arts, William Benton Museum of Art,

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