When visiting the Washington D.C. area this June for ALA’s Annual Conference, fans of this country’s Colonial history, or fans of forensic science will want to book time for a trip to the Smithsonian: National Museum of Natural History to see Written in Bone: Forensic Files of the 17th Century Chesapeake. The exhibit runs through February 6, 2011, but why wait?
Forensic Anthropologist, Doug Owsley, provides an excellent online introduction to the exhibit and mentions two of the not-to-be missed “bone biographies†featured. He also mentions the forensic anthropology lab, which is open for self-guided, hands-on exploration and is also available for more traditional class-oriented school programs. Check into the details for the lab on the website, especially if you are bringing a group.
Whether you are a Maryland/Virginia history buff, a Forensic Files fanatic or a fan of Sally M. Walker’s award-winning companion volume, Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland (Carolrhoda Books, 2009), this exhibit has something to capture your attention.
National Museum of Natural History Hours:
Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Weekends 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
I admit, I am totally biased, but the Written in Bone exhibit is fantastic! And the museum is free. If you go, don’t forget to “visit” the coelacanth in the Hall of Oceans exhibit. She’s way in the back of the hall, but worth a look. There’s only one other coelacanth on exhibit in the United States. (I admit being biased toward these fish as well.)
Thanks for the heads up! I’ll be in the area this fall for a wedding and most definitely will check this out!
😉