RE: Carnegie Museum

["Wilson, Yvonne" <WilsonY@CarnegieMNH.Org>]

Darryl Jones wrote:
"I had a look at their web site last night and saw all of the wonderful 
information about their new renovations.  ... Does anybody know when they
are due to open these 
new exhibits?  When should I plan my next trip to Pittsburgh?"

Darryl,
Construction is scheduled to begin early next year.  The project was
announced a year or two ago, but the state withheld the money, then made the
museum rejustify the need for it.  They have selected an architect, and have
designs that seem to change as monetary realities rear their ugly selves;
but they have not selected the group to remount the dinosaurs.  Dinosaur
Hall will likely have to be shut down for a period.  Officially, the hall is
supposed to reopen in 2007, but I would find that highly unlikely.  Walls
will be knocked out, the museum library will be moved, a floor will be built
over an open courtyard (a floor that has to hold humongous dinos no less),
and most of the dinos and at least the Protostega will be remounted.  It's a
bigger project than this place has ever seen.  Ken Carpenter wants it to
happen today ;-)  , but I'm happy that it's happening at all.  The
renovation has been on the drawing board since the 60's.  I just want my
bony babies treated properly.  If you want to be _sure_ it's done...2010.
That's my estimate, not theirs.  I may lose my head for giving such a dismal
projection, but I think it's more realistic.

Yvonne Wilson
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Division of Education/PaleoLab
4400 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-578-2456
Sat/Sun 412-578-2463