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The Value of Temporary Exhibits
One of the most exciting things a natural history museum
can do is to bring in special traveling exhibits for its members
and the general public. These are great educational opportunities,
as they enable the museum to present materials not permanently in
their collections. Recently, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural
History presented a special exhibit "A T. rex Named Sue."
As popular as dinosaurs are, it was no surprise at the success of this exhibit -
not only from the educational standpoint, but economic too - for the museum, the university and city.
Linda Coldwell, PR & Marketing Officer for the SNOMNH, provided the brief article and photos below regarding the success of their exhibit:
Big Dinosaur - Big Crowds
"A T. rex Named Sue." takes the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History by Storm
"A T. rex Named Sue." rampaged into the SNOMNH on May 6, bringing with it a buzz of excitement about the museum´s newest - and biggest - special guest. From May 6 through Aug. 20, a total of 96,943 individuals visited the exhibit, representing an attendance increase of 235 percent over the previous year. Highest attendance was on "Library Day," a day of free admission in partnership with local libraries on Aug. 12. More than 3,220 people attended.
The exhibit also played a major role in attracting new audiences to the museum, with 43 percent of surveyed visitors indicating that they were visiting for the first time. Visitors came to "Sue" from 167 communities within Oklahoma, 44 other states ranging from Hawaii to New Hampshire, and 21 other countries, including Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Brazil. "We came all the way to Norman to see ´Sue,´" wrote the Stermer family from Portland, Ore. "It was worth the drive!"
One hundred ninety five schools visited the exhibit, bringing 7,968 students, teachers and
chaperones to the museum. "Dinosaur Daze," a special weekend of family-oriented educational
activities held in June, engaged more than 2,250 visitors through 11 interactive activity stations
inside and outside the museum.
"Community response to the exhibit was extremely positive. The ´Sue´ exhibit
exceeded all of our expectations and goals." said Dr. Ellen Censky, museum director. "We
are deeply grateful to our exhibit and media sponsors for helping us to bring this outstanding exhibit
to Oklahoma."
editor´s note: the permanent home of the "Sue" exhibit is at Chicago´s Field Museum - http://www.fieldmuseum.org/sue/
