Tlingit Basketmaker And Weaver Visits Museum
On December 6, 2006, nationally renowned Tlingit basketmaker and weaver Teri Rofkar from Sitka, Alaska, visited the Museum to discuss a proposed project to document and catalogue the 380 Tlingit baskets which form part of the Museum’s Native North American collection of 3,600 baskets. The Tlingit collection includes baskets from many sources, with a significant number acquired by Louis Shotridge and Lt. George Emmons in the early 20th century.
The Women’s Committee Presents A Check
With increased support from corporate, community, and University partners, enthusiastic attendance, and accolades from patrons and press, the second annual “TREASURES… From the Silk Road to the Santa Fe Trail, Show & Sale,” held October 27–29, 2006 to benefit the Penn Museum, was a great success. Opening Preview night drew over 600 patron guests—including the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, the Trustees’ Council of Penn Women, and guests of the Annenberg School for Communication and the Annenberg Public Policy Center. Attendance for the spectacular three-day exposition was close to 3,000, enabling The Women’s Committee to present $103,000 to the Museum, including $3,000 to honor the three co-chairs of the show: Susan Catherwood, Suchinda Heavener, and Missy McQuiston. This year’s show will take place October 26–28, 2007 (Opening Preview: October 25).
Director’s Award For Exceptional Achievement
On December 19, 2006, Tena Thomason, the Museum’s Special Events Coordinator, received the Director’s Award to honor exceptional staff and volunteer achievement. Established in 1995, the Director’s Award has been bestowed on twelve other recipients: John F. Harris, Ruth Radbill Scott, Maude de Schauensee, Commune of Orgedeuil (France), M. and Mme. André Buffet, Elin C. Danien, Josephine Klein, Yener Yilmaz, Henry N. Michael, Ida Goldstein, Clarissa Pell, and John T. Murray.
ARCE-Pennsylvania Enhances The Museum’s “Year Of Egypt”
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE-PA) has been based at the Museum since late 2005, just in time for the Museum’s “Year of Egypt.” Established in 1948, ARCE (www.arce.org) is a national nonprofit organization that supports research on ancient and modern Egypt, promotes public knowledge of Egypt, and facilitates American-Egyptian cultural ties. ARCE-PA’s extensive roster of Egypt-related programming includes monthly lectures by top scholars, movie screenings, gallery tours, and social events. Chapter officers also coordinate “First Saturday Tours” at 11:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month. These presentations are free to the public and cover such topics as ancient Egyptian society, mummification, and kingship. For information on events and membership, visit www.arce-pa.org.
Penn Museum Thanks Amarna Exhibit Supporters
Penn Museum gives special thanks to the supporters of the exhibition of Amarna, Ancient Egypt’s Place in the Sun and related programs: The Annenberg Foundation, Connelly Foundation, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, IBM Corporation, The National Geographic Society, Andrea M. Baldeck, M.D. and William M. Hollis, Jr., Susan H. Horsey, Diane vS. and Robert M. Levy, A. Bruce and Margaret R. Mainwaring, the Frederick J. Manning Family, Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, and The Franklin Institute.
Museum Archaeobotanist Selected As Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer
Naomi F. Miller, Senior Research Scientist in MASCA, has been selected to be a Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer for July 2007 through June 2009. An archaeobotanist who has worked extensively on the Museum’s archaeological excavations and other projects throughout the Near East, Miller will offer her latest research and insights in three lecture programs to Sigma Xi members, students, and the public. Sigma Xi is an international research society founded in 1886 to honor excellence in scientific investigation and encourage a sense of companionship and cooperation among researchers in all fields of science and engineering.
International Classroom Hosts Reception
On the evening of October 20, 2006, the Museum’s Chinese Rotunda was awash in the color of traditional clothing from around the world and filled with the hum of conversation. Hosted by the Museum’s International Classroom, the International Student and Scholar Reception, held annually for over 30 years, is a national model of intercollegiate cooperation. Funded by donations and staffed by volunteers, it is free to any international student in the Delaware Valley. At this year’s reception, over 1,100 students from 107 countries represented 55 colleges and universities, including the Art Institute of Philadelphia, Cabrini College, Drexel University, Temple University, Villanova University, and Penn.
Mapping Mongolia Conference
The Museum is sponsoring an International Research Conference, “Mapping Mongolia,” in May 2007. Scholars and practitioners from Mongolia, England, the U.S., and Penn will meet to discuss where Mongolia fits in U.S. area-studies programs: East Asia? Northeast Asia? Eurasia? Post-socialist countries? Using Mongolia as a case study, GIS mapping techniques will compare Mongolia at different points in time, from different disciplines, and explore the concept of area studies at U.S. universities. Why do universities (including Penn) have such programs? How should areas be determined? The four-day workshop is organized by Senior Research Scientist Paula L.W. Sabloff and Research Associate Fredrik T. Hiebert.