snip:

>I am interestred in learning where Museum-L'ers think the most successful and
>most innovative design solutions
>for natural history museum gem and geology halls (as either combined or
>separate spaces) are...


Mr Culp:

For sheer beauty in presentation, I love our own museum's "Gems and
Minerals" installation.  It really lets the specimens' beauty and variety
stand out.  (Contact our lighting designer:  Cary Forss at 612/221-9469).
If I remember right, the Denver Museum of Natural History had a beautiful
display as well, but I don't know a contact there. Perhaps someone on the
list could provide info about their display and provide a contact.  One
thing I think is helpful, that our museum does not have in that display, is
a tactile display (with educational collections) of some kind.  In my
opinion, these specimens just cry out to be touched.

Bill



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
William H. Stirrat
Evaluator/Market Researcher
Our Minnesota Science Hall
Science Museum of Minnesota
30 East 10th Street
St. Paul, MN  55101

phone:  612/221-9442
fax:  612/221-4514
e-mail: [log in to unmask]