Krista I'm gonna reply to the list a) because you didn't provide your
e-mail address b) 'cause I'm gonna brag.

The University of Northern Iowa Museum, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA and the
Old Residency Museum, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria sponsored a 2
day seminar (May 19-20) in Calabar in recognition of International
Museums Day as a result of an International Partnership Among Museums
(IPAM) grant.  The Seminar will produce a bibliographic index of
biological, sociological and historical work done in Cross River State
that will be published and used as a resource to encourage an
international field of scholars to continue research objectives in Cross
River with the Old Residency Museum and the University of Calabar.

I and my partner Philip Ajekigbe (archaeologist), of the National
Commission of Museums, Nigeria concieved of and implemented this
project.
It is our intenetion to facilitate academic exchanges that will result
in a local and international understanding of the Cross River Basin,
which is a region rich in both nature and culture, both of which are
being threatend at an alarming rate.  Our museums are taking the
initiative to bring this to light and hopefully expedite research,
preservation, education, and conservation in this remote yet important
region.

You will be hearing more about this as the results of the seminar are
transmitted to the academic and museum communities.

Terry Vidal  mailto:[log in to unmask]
Collections Manager
University of Northern iowa Museum  http://www.uni.edu/museum

Krista Schepis wrote:
>
> Good morning and happy belated International Museum Day (May 18).
>
> This year we celebrated the 20th anniversary of International Museum Day,
> created in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM).  To
> celebrate this day, museums are encouraged to reach out to their public
> and increase awareness of the contributions that museums make to society.
> This year's theme was the fight against the illicit traffic of cultural
> property -- one of ICOM's top priorities.  Because this theme affects
> nearly all the countries of the world, ICOM has designated it as the
> subject for the entire 1995-1998 triennial period.
>
> The American Association of Museums would like to hear about how your
> museum celebrated this day.  The International Department of AAM is
> preparing a packet of ideas about International Museum Day and examples of
> how museums across the country have celebrated the day.  We would love to
> include activities that your museum has undertaken in celebration of
> International Museum Day.
>
> Please send any information detailing how your museum celebrated the day
> (press releases, newspaper clippings, web sites, scripts, etc.) to:
>
> International Programs
> American Association of Museums
> 1575 Eye Street, N.W. Suite 400
> Washington, D.C. 20005
>
> or email comments directly back to me.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Krista Schepis, Graduate Intern