Report for Fiscal Years 2001 Through 2003 Fiscal Years Report For
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American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024-5192 Report for Fiscal Years 2001 through 2003 212-769-5100 www.amnh.org Report for Fiscal Years 2001 through 2003 Report for Fiscal Years Report for Fiscal Years 2001 through 2003 Table of Contents American Museum of Natural History Report for Fiscal Years 2001 through 2003 04 Report of the President and Chairman 12 Science 21 Education 25 Exhibition 35 Highlights 40 Report of the Treasurer 43 Financial Statements 46 Committees 48 Gifts and Grants 71 Scientific and Administrative Staff 81 Scientific Publications 123 Bequests 125 Board of Trustees Report of the President and Chairman 5 Report of the President and Chairman The period covered by this report, July 1, 2000, to outfitted as exhibition spaces out into the community, genomics following the completion of the draft The multifaceted genome initiative touched all the June 30, 2003, was one of extraordinary volatility, by planning a special expedition of the Moveables to sequence of the human genome earlier in the year. departments of the Museum and continues today, but it uncertainty, and transformation for New York City, the Lower Manhattan schools. The Moveable Museums Sequencing the Human Genome: New Frontiers in was by no means the only order of business for this period. nation, the world, and, of course, the American Museum of acted as ambassadors from the Museum and provided Science and Technology brought together scientists In February 2001, the Museum opened its west face to Natural History. During that time, the Museum experi- a much-welcome museum experience for schoolchildren and experts from around the world to discuss the its Upper West Side neighborhood when it inaugurated enced some of the greatest achievements and some of throughout the City. When, on November 19, 2001, the significance and ramifications of the genomic revolution. the Judy and Josh Weston Pavilion, the Museum’s first the gravest challenges in its history. These polarities were New York City Schools Chancellor held a press confer- In May 2001, the Museum announced the establish- permanent Columbus Avenue entrance. Architecturally embodied by the highly successful 18 months following ence to announce the reinstatement of field trips, ment of the Institute for Comparative Genomics, an extension of the Rose Center/North Side project, the opening of the Rose Center for Earth and Space and he chose to do so at the Museum, acknowledging our apreeminent center for collections, research, and train- the Weston Pavilion is a light-filled glass atrium with a the testing challenges in the aftermath of the tragic position as the cultural venue in New York City most ing in the field of nonhuman comparative genomics. beautiful armillary sculpture as its centerpiece. events of September 11, 2001. visited by the City’s schoolchildren and our place in the Bringing together a staff of world-class scientists, the Adding to its educational facilities, in June 2001, the In the years since 9/11, the Museum has stabilized hearts of schoolchildren for generations. Museum’s extensive collections, and its powerful bioin- Museum opened a new Discovery Room, a treasure-filled its operations and regained its momentum. In fact, the Responding to 9/11, the Department of Education formatics capacity, the Institute is charged with mapping gateway to the wonders of the Museum for children and events of 9/11 have reinforced the timeliness of the instituted a number of initiatives in addition to dispatching the tree of life, advancing the use of comparative their caregivers. Located near the 77th Street lobby, the Museum’s mission in science, human cultures, and the Moveable Museums out into the community. Musings, genomics in biodiversity and conservation, and apply- Discovery Room offers a hands-on, behind-the-scenes education and the importance of the Museum’s role in the Museum’s online newsletter for educators, published ing innovative approaches to the areas of human health look at the Museum and its science. With every major society. The Museum has emerged with a renewed and a special issue focused on ways teachers could help and disease. Coincident with the launch of the Institute, field of Museum science and research represented, strengthened sense of mission, responsibility, and focus. students cope in the aftermath of the tragic events. In the Museum opened a major exhibition, The Genomic the Discovery Room offers children an opportunity to Immediately following September 11, we took very 2002, the popular annual series of cultural programs Revolution, which brought genomic science to the engage with and touch real specimens, artifacts, and seriously our role of providing a place of respite, Living in America focused on South Asian, Muslim, and public in engaging, accessible ways. The exhibition scientific equipment and to participate in interactive where people could come to be quiet, to enjoy the sol- Arabic communities, showcasing the richness and vitality was one of the Museum’s best attended, a testament scientific investigations. ace of the natural world’s beauty, and, perhaps most of these communities in New York City and fostering to the public’s hunger for information about this Mindful that pearls were thought by the ancient Romans importantly, to learn about the world’s peoples. Never increased cross-cultural understanding. important emerging field of science. to be the frozen tears of the gods, the Museum dedicated has the Museum’s mission of bringing the world’s cul- Along with the rest of the City, the dramatic drop in The Department of Education surrounded the its fall 2001 exhibition Pearls to deepened cultural under- tures to the public seemed more urgent. Responsive to tourism in New York City affected us. As at all New York exhibition with programs and publications for all audi- standing and peaceful coexistence. Despite uncertainty a City grieving and searching, on October 13, 2001, the museums and attractions, visitorship at the Museum fell ences—schoolchildren of all ages, teachers, adults. about the safe arrival from around the world of a number Museum opened its doors and all of its exhibitions dramatically after September 11. Yet many of the Within the exhibition, trained explainers enhanced of items slated to appear in the exhibition, Pearls opened and programs to the public free of charge. That day, already-planned programs, conferences, and exhibitions the visitor’s experience and answered questions, and on time on October 13, 2001, to both critical and popular thousands of neighbors from across the City and region seemed almost preternaturally appropriate, even nec- the exhibition’s Learning Lab provided an invaluable acclaim, receiving special praise for its aesthetic beauty came to the Museum seeking an oasis of comfort, essary, in the post–September 11 reality. The Museum’s venue for educational programs for school groups and and the effective treatment of pearls’ scientific and meaning, and community in the midst of anxiety very mission of celebrating, exploring, and teaching about the public, including an opportunity for schoolchildren environmental importance and their cultural luster and and doubt. the natural world and the cultures of humanity offered a and other visitors to sequence their own DNA. appeal. The exhibition Meeting God: Elements of Hindu Soon after September 11, for security reasons, the light in the darkness. Hands-on genome sequencing workshops for adults Devotion, which was also on view during fall 2001, Board of Education instituted an advisory against classes While 9/11 brought new challenges, the Museum and children proved so popular that many more were showcased striking images of Indian Hindi engaged in taking field trips to New York City cultural institutions, continued to advance critical initiatives. Beginning in 2000, added to the schedule to meet the demand. As part acts of faith. Many of our visitors found that it offered a and all of us here sorely missed the clamor and energy the Museum consolidated its considerable research of our ongoing collaboration with Time for Kids, the calming, meditative experience. of schoolchildren exploring the Museum’s halls. In strength in genomics into a major multifaceted effort to Museum published a fun and fact-filled family activity Presented each fall, the Margaret Mead Film & Video response, the Museum’s Department of Education advance research in genomics and educate the public workbook, The Gene Scene, which was distributed Festival, the world’s premier international ethnographic stepped up the Moveable Museum program, which about this emerging scientific field. In September 2000, nationwide to 2.2 million schoolchildren, 100,000 film festival, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2001 with sends a fleet of large-scale vehicles customized and the Museum organized the first scientific conference on teachers, and 1 million parents. a special and very popular program of new and classic 6 Fiscal Years 2001 through 2003 Report of the President and Chairman 7 festival films. And in June 2002, the Museum took public to celebrate a grand American tradition—baseball. During summer 2003, the Museum presented the interactive element to learning about the physical prop- the universe on the road with the launch of the Hayden Baseball As America was presented in conjunction with exhibition Chocolate, and its phenomenal success proved erties that underpin our universe. Planetarium Moveable Museum, Discovering the Universe, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in unequivocally that Museum-goers have a sweet tooth. Throughout this period, the Museum continued to which brings the wonders of the Rose Center to schools Cooperstown, New York. The show highlighted the role The exhibition provided insight into the cultural history of offer extensive and in-depth programs for the profes- and community centers throughout the city and region. of sports across cultures and the relationship of baseball chocolate and its relationship to the environment.