SEED BANKS AND SEED LIBRARIES: SEWING SEEDS FOR THE FUTURE

COLLECTIONS CORNER

BY: NATANIA SHERMAN

Last semester, Jennifer Maxwell wrote a Collections column asking readers to weigh in on an object that they would choose to preserve in case of an apocalyptic event. Members of the Musings community gave varied and creative answers of objects that they felt could be used to rebuild civilizations, but no one thought to bring something that could sustain said civilization: seeds. I may be channeling Keeper of the Seeds from Mad Max II: Fury Road but if I had to come up with one thing I would save in case of an apocalyptic event, I might think about the future biodiversity of the planet. (I might also think a little bit about my very lonely herb garden.)

The Keeper of the Seeds in Mad Max II:Fury Road (Source)

 

It seems I’m not the only one because there are institutions that collect seeds and plant species to preserve them in the event of a future environmental or biodiversity disaster. These institutions, known as seed banks, collect and preserve the seeds of countless species, from common to heirloom varieties. KEW the Royal Botanical Gardens in the UK is home to a herbarium, fungarium and the Millennium Seed Bank. The Millennium Seedbank has a mandate to preserve the world's most threatened species and the world’s most useful. Their goal is to have preserved 25% of the world’s plant species by 2020. If that number seems small, keep in mind that as of August 2015, the Millennium Seed Bank has around36,333 plant species and 2, 115, 847,290 seed samples in their collection. The Millennium Seed Bank decides what to collect by placing an emphasis on preserving biodiversity, but also on collecting plants that are deemed useful for medicines, important food sources, high risk species and native species that are threatened by invasive species.

A real-life Keeper of the Seeds inside the Millennium Seed Bank vault (Source)

Seed libraries, like seed banks are also a way to maintain local species and promote agriculture. University of Toronto’s Inforum has a seed library where you can borrow seeds to plant for the summer and then when the time comes, harvest the seeds which are then returned to the library.

Seed banks and seed libraries already fill an important role in preserving biodiversity. Under the correct conditions, seeds can actually be stored for thousands of years. Researchers have actually grown viable plants from thousand year old seeds. Seed banks can also help researchers understand plant evolution by allowing them to study how plant species adapt to environmental factors over time, by preserving older incarnations of certain plants. Seed banks are also crucial to ensuring future plant biodiversity. This is especially important since so many of the crops that humans rely on, such as wheat and corn, are monocultures that could be very vulnerable to disease and infestation, and have a high environmental impact to produce.

The Millennium Seed Bank in Wakehurst (Source)

As a result of the scale that seed banks like KEW collect specimens, many larger seed banks are organizations that build partnerships globally in order to expand their collections and research networks. KEW even publishes a yearly State of The World's Plants report to publicize their research. These institutions truly carry out a crucial function for the betterment of the future and I certainly hope that if a biodiversity crisis occurs I’ll be living near a seed bank.

ENTER THE MMSt CLASS OF 2017 #LET'SGETPROFESSIONAL

INTERNSHIP CHECK-IN

BY: MAYA DONKERS

Hello again, Musing's readers! It has been a minute since my last article, and I am embarrassed to admit I just caught up on all-things-Musing's. From the Grad Guide to What's Happening Wednesdays, I feel caught up on the life and times of MMSt students - but what about the interns? The first instalment of internship check-in is here to catch us up on the amazing opportunities underway for my classmates who are fast approaching the half-way mark of their internship placements.

As for me, I started my internship April 25th, which means I am at the end of my FIFTH week and officially half way through my placement at Canada's National Ballet School.

I'm all about that Sharing Dance get-up. Photo Source: Danielle Rutkowski.

As much as I could talk about my own internship for the entirety of this post, I'm not about to 'check-in' with myself and have instead asked four outstanding interns to share their stories... Enjoy!

Anthony, Collections Management Intern at Black Creek Pioneer Village 

When did you start your placement? May 9th, 2016

Tell us about what you're working on! As a collections management co-op student at Black Creek, I am in charge of cataloguing objects and integrating them into Black Creek's Collection. My main project is to create a discovery station using objects in the collection in order to better inform the public about life in the 19th century.

What do you enjoy the most? I like the fact that I get to see how my work actually directly impacts the institution for the better and improves the public's understanding of the past.

What are you most apprehensive about? I think the thing I was most apprehensive about was the distance. Everyone said how far Black Creek is, but with the express buses from Jane, the commute is manageable and can actually be fun!

What is the most important think you've learned so far? Never underestimate the importance of object research. Sometimes you might think an object is for one thing, when it is really for something totally different.

Spinning the First House at Black Creek. Photo Source: Black Creek Pioneer Village.

Dana, Collections and Registration Intern at the Aga Khan Museum 

When did you start your placement? April 25, 2016

Tell us about what you're working on! I am currently working on an Emergency Preparedness Plan for AKM (conducting risk assessment and identifying assets of the museum; researching best practices for emergency response and recovery procedures and creating the Emergency Preparedness Handbook; sourcing and procuring supplies for the Emergency Preparedness Cart). I am also developing a provenance research policy and a variety of collections management tasks, including: processing acquisitions, incoming loans, condition reporting, collections inventory, and training in the collections management software - The Museum System (TMS). 

What do you enjoy the most? The fact that I'm treated as a member of the team, not simply a student or intern. My opinions and ideas are welcomed and encouraged, and my supervisor has invited me to shape the internship according to my own interests. 

What are you most apprehensive about? I was concerned that I may not receive enough guidance or perhaps be left to my own devices during the internship. I was excited to have my own projects and end with something that I could call my own, but I didn't want to be left unsupported either. I really shouldn't have worried about this, the entire staff at AKM is wonderfully supportive and no question is treated as too small. They understand that, as an intern, you are there to learn and they are there to teach you. 

What is the most important think you've learned so far? My very first week was trial by fire. I came into the museum during the installation of the new exhibition Marvellous Creatures and it was all hands on deck. With couriers, conservators, designers, collections staff, and curators running around and passing out tasks I learned pretty quickly that teamwork is essential. Tensions run high, mistakes happen, but so long as your team continues to support one another you will come out of things with a beautiful exhibition (and no casualties)! 

Some artifacts on display at the AKM. Photo Source: CTV News. 

Emily, Exhibitions and Events Intern at Lord Cultural Resources

Contributor's Note: When I approached Emily about sharing her experience for Musing's she informed me that she isn't allowed to discuss her projects, but would share what she could. As each internship is unique, I thought it was a great opportunity to include a different version of a check-in to this shared experience. 

When did you start your placement? May 2, 2016

Tell us about what you're working on! I am an intern at Lord with the Exhibitions and Events team, where I am working on content development, interpretive strategies, sourcing images for various exhibitions, as well as examining best practices for a variety of different institutions. 

What do you enjoy the most? By working on many different projects at various stages of their development, I'm exposed to multiple types of content and processes. I appreciate my team's support, being treated as an equal, diving right into projects, and always being able to ask questions when needed. 

The MMSt summer must-read. Photo Source: Lord Cultural Resources.

Kate, Research and Exhibition Development Intern at Bytown Museum 

When did you start your placement? April 25, 2016

Tell us about what you're working on! I am writing labels and exhibit text for the Bytown Museum's 100th Anniversary Exhibition (opening Feb 2017) and I am assisting the Exhibitions and Collections Manager as needed (exhibit installation, monitoring galleries, etc.)

What do you enjoy the most? I think what I enjoy the most about my internship is knowing that the objects that I helped choose and the research and content that I produced will be used in an upcoming exhibition. I am very much looking forward to visiting the Bytown Museum in 2017 and visiting an exhibit that I helped build! 

What are you most apprehensive about? Apart from emails for administrative things, I had only spoken to Grant (my supervisor) for 5 to 10 minutes before I started my internship. I was (unnecessarily) worried that I had misunderstood what my duties as an intern would be, or that the project I would be working on wasn't actually as cool as Grant made it sound. 

What is the most important think you've learned so far? It's hard to have someone shadowing you - be sure to let your supervisor know that you want to go to the meetings that they do, and help even with what they think are menial or routine tasks. The beginning of an internship is a learning curve for both the intern and the supervisor, so make sure your expectations and needs are clear from the get go. 

"Helping"install the bust of Lady McDonald. Photo Source: Kate Seally.

Well, it looks like we are all caught up with the first round of interns! I would like to thank Anthony, Dana, Emily, and Kate for sharing such amazing insight and experiences. I wish each of you all the best in the remaining time at your placements. 

I love to hear more stories so feel free to share your internship experiences, favourite tasks, high points, crying in the washroom low points... in the comment section below! 

We feel you Dwight Schrute, we really do. #let'sgetprofessional

SLEUTHIN' IT UP AT THE TORONTO REFERENCE LIBRARY

EXHIBITION REVIEWS

BY: STEPHANIE READ

Hello and welcome to the first summer 2016 edition of EXHIBITION REVIEWS! I hope everyone has enjoyed the amazing weather over the long weekend and got their hands on some fireworks. Cottage people, you have /my/ number!

This post is not so much about an exhibition per se, but a lovely and easily-overlooked permanent feature of the Toronto Reference Library- a home away from home for any fan of intrigue and the cozy comfort of nostalgia for a time we never even lived and never will again - the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection (I know, nobody is surprised!)

The ACDC Room (I spy a teddy bear!) 24-05-16. Source: S Read

A little background history on the Collection; some time ago in the late 1960s, a few librarians got their hands on a small collection of about 150 books related to Sherlock Holmes and the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. These books were supplemented by the collections of the wonderfully-named S. Tupper Bigelow and the more enigmatic "Mortlake".

The inner room of the ACDC. So cozy! 24-05-16 S. Read

Sherlock Holmes and his faithful friend John Watson have been, of course, at the forefront of popular culture for a long time. And so they should, considering the duo's continued relevance in our seemingly chaotic, post-industrial society. It is therefore ironic and endearing that the great social disturber-of-the-peace Sherlock Holmes' rooms should be accented by the greatest comforts and dainty accessories: fluffy Persian rugs, silk slippers, furniture smelling of rich mahogany, a teddy bear. The opening hours for the Collection at the TRL are limited, however I greatly urge you to take some time this summer, whether on some stormy summer afternoon or unbearably hot July morning, to check out the ACDC (hehe) and browse the marvelous collection of paraphernalia, beautiful editions of Holmes mysteries, manuscripts, and maybe even play a round of chess!

The ACDC outside room, with chess set and Holmes mysteries. 24-05-16. Source: S Read

What's more, the lovely Collection staff permit you to peruse freely, and you can take pictures, too (no flash please!) You can also request to see more delicate or valuable items that are not on immediate display to the public, though make sure you check with the TRL first to make sure someone is there to assist you. If you are visiting the city and have an interest in all things Holmes, this is a free and accessible space and should be on your to-see list!

Some interesting reads out of many! 24-05-16. Source: S Read

The Arthur Conan Doyle Collection is a treat nestled away in the honeycombed recesses of the TRL, and is clearly lovingly cared for. For those in our readership who are interested in exploring what I can only assume is the deep and dark underbelly of Toronto's literary subculture, you can join the Sherlock Holmes Fan Club, The Bootmakers of Toronto for a Pub Night on June 11 at the North District Library.

Adorable Sherlock teddy and a beautiful illustrated SH book. 24-05-16. S. Read

Also, the Friends of the ACDC are welcoming professor of Film Studies Russell Merritt next Saturday on May 28th to discuss the "rediscovery and restoration of [William] Gillette's 1916 silent film Sherlock Holmes". For information on the Friends of the ACDC, click here!

To conclude, I will share my favourite Sherlock joke. Added bonus: the response you receive for this joke from your friends is really an indicator of your friendship:

"Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson decide to go on a camping trip. After dinner and some soothing violin music provided by the cultured Holmes, they lay down for the night, and go to sleep.

Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend.

"Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."

Watson replied, "I see millions of stars."

"What does that tell you?"

Watson pondered for a minute.

"Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets."
"Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo."
"Chronologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three."
"Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant."
"What does it tell you, Holmes?"

Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke: "What it tells me, dear Watson, is that someone has stolen our tent!"

LOST IN THEIR OWN MUSEUM: PART 1

MUSEUM MYSTERIES

BY: CHRISTOPHER WAI 

Dr. Henry Jones Jr. and Curator Marcus Brody, Source: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

On Marcus Brody, "Curator of the National Museum" 

“'He's got a two day head start on you, which is more than he needs. Brody's got friends in every town and village from here to the Sudan, he speaks a dozen languages, knows every local custom, he'll blend in, disappear, you'll never see him again. With any luck, he's got the grail already.'

[LATER] 

'But you said he had a two day head start. That he would blend in, disappear.' 

'Are you kidding? I made all that up. You know Marcus. He once got lost in his own museum.'” 

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

What museums, archives or universities hold in their modest, grand or frequently cramped quarters is often a mystery. To the public there is the allure and frustration of only being able to see a portion of the museums entire collection at any one time.

But this holds true for professionals too. After all, there are many museums out there and many collections and for all the catalogues available online for the British Museum or the Met, there are many that simply don’t have the resources for it.

Sometimes an artifact gets misfiled or lost in the maze. Maybe the handwriting is just too illegible. Documentation gets lost. People retire and the accumulation of decades of knowledge isn’t passed down. Contracts end and turnovers with seasonal staffing can lead to inconsistencies. Subject expertise and proper conservation is also not always available. Values and priorities change. Perhaps they were even acquired by questionable means many decades ago. Perhaps a war or disaster meant a hasty transfer of collections.

The allure of new discoveries is important, but for all that and the romanticism attached, there is a lot to be said about the assemblage we already have. 

Here are five notable ones:

1. Ramesses I in Niagara Falls- Niagara Falls Museum and Dare Devil Hall of Fame (1827-1999)

Statue Head of Paramessu (Ramesses I), Boston Museum of Fine Arts Source.

At around 1860, James Douglas Jr. sold a mummy to the Niagara Falls Museum and Daredevil Hall of Fame for a grand total of 7 pounds (about 767.74 pounds in 2015).

This mummy then became one amongst a number of other mummies as curio attractions that at one point in the mid to late 1990s was advertised as being a part of “Over 700 000 Authentic Artifacts”. Said "artifacts" included a two headed calf, and a “Japanese Warrior" (in the Gallery G's “Oriental Curios”). 

Reminder: this is from the mid to late 1990s... Source

When the museum closed in 1999 after a few relocations of the museum and at least one involving a dump truck, it was acquired by the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University.

Based on X-rays, and CT scans and comparisons with other New Kingdom burial practices and resemblances to Seti I and Ramesses the II, it's strongly suggested that this was mummy was most likely Ramesses I.

Reconstruction of Ramesses I Source: Emory University

In 2003, 143 years since he was bought by the Niagara Falls Museum and even longer since it's possible looting from a group of royal mummies at Deir el-Baihri, Ramesses I was returned to Egypt.


2. Fritz Lang and Thea von Harbou's’s Metropolis (1927)- Museo del Cine

Metropolis (1927)

Metropolis is a major piece of film history that still affects our culture today (i.e. music, movies, fashion, etc.), most notably, in the popular consciousness through Star Wars' C3PO and a fair number of its themes in subtle ways. 

C3PO Source

Left: Lady Gaga. Right: Metropolis Source  

Thematically, it covers a lot of the core elements of science fiction and dystopian fiction, from the dominance of corporations, socioeconomic inequality, messianic themes, robots posing as people and giant cityscapes with aircraft flying through. 

It says a lot about this film when a near complete print of the original film was only reconstructed in 2010. Reconstructions have been attempted through the decades, but in 2008, the longest single print was found in the Museo del Cine in Buenos Aires.

3. Skeleton from Ur- Penn Museum

Source: Penn Museum

In 1929, Leonard Woolley's excavation team at Ur discovered a set of 48 Ubaid period graves but recovered only one of them from this specific level. The body was preserved relatively intact by block-lifting it: the body and part of the surrounding soil was coated in wax before being removed as a single piece from the ground.

Along with the other finds at Ur, the collection was divided between Iraq, Philadelphia and London.

In 2014, during the Penn Museum's effort to digitize its collection, William Hafford found that one of two skeletons brought to Philadelphia were missing.

Penn Museum records. Source

Thankfully, the curator, Janet Monge, remembered that there was an undocumented skeleton in a box at the museum and managed to match it with Woolley's description. Despite Ur and Woolley's reputation, even the most famous site can risk losing parts of the collection if they are blindsided by the more well known finds.

4. Gordo The Barosaurus- Royal Ontario Museum

Gordo. Source: ROM

If you've ever walked through the dinosaur galleries in the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal galleries then you've probably already met Gordo, even if you didn't realize it. But that seems to be its lot in life.

Found a little over a century ago in Utah amongst a number of other rare Barosaurus specimens, Gordo was transferred to the ROM in 1962 from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.. During this time, it was misclassified as a different dinosaur, a Diplodocus.

In 2007, curator David Evans set off to add a sauropod specimen to the revamped Crystal gallery and it was only in Wyoming when he found a reference to Gordo from paleontologist Jack McIntosh that correctly identified it as a Barosaurus.

And at last, after 45 years and 8 weeks of reconstruction work, Gordo was finally on display at the ROM.

5. Leather Chariot Trappings –Cairo Museum
Organics don’t generally survive very well, especially after a few thousand years without careful conservation, but miracles do happen.

Hip Strap: Source

In 2007, Dutch archaeologist Andre Veldmeijer came a cross a set images of surviving chariot trappings in a 1957 text during his research into ancient leatherwork, but initially came up empty when he asked the Egyptian Museum about them. Thankfully. Ibrahim El Gawad, the curator of the Egyptian Museum managed to find the set in the back room drawers of the museum by accident. 

Bottom of a quiver. Source

They have since been the subject of a research study on Egyptian chariots in collaboration with Egyptologist Salima Ikram. 

Horse Harness. Source

Unfortunately, there is another problem. While the “provenance” (the history of ownership) goes back to a 1932 transaction from a Greek dealer by the name of Georges Tanos, the archaeological “provenience” (with the “i”) is unknown. Its relationship with a site, region, and associated objects or burials are all still severed. 

Gauntlet. Source

In 2012, the First International Chariot Conference was held in Cairo.

To be continued…

THE GRAD SCHOOL GUIDE: “DEAR FIRST YEAR ME…”

THE GRAD SCHOOL GUIDE

BY: EMMA HOFFMAN (and MMSt classmates)

Dear future classmates,

Congratulations on getting in to grad school and welcome to the first edition of the 2016 Grad School Guide! I’m Emma Hoffman: your host and resource for all things MMSt, and I’m ready to usher you through the ups, downs, “need-to-knows”, “don’t-knows,” and “we’ll-never-knows” of life as a graduate student at the University of Toronto.

Source.

On our first journey down the proverbial rabbit hole of grad school-related wisdom, some of your future classmates, faculty alumni, and future colleagues in the museum world (!) have been generous enough to share the one piece of advice that they wish they had known before entering their first year of the MMSt program. Of course, the grad school experience can be quite subjective: depending on a student’s extracurricular commitments, learning style, study habits, goals, and other related factors. However, upon reading the seriously awesome responses to my objectively annoying call-outs to recruit contributors for this column, I found myself wishing that I had known some of these things myself before pushing open the unnecessarily heavy doors to the iSchool for the first time last September.

So, without further ado, I’ll let these smart and fabulous people speak for themselves, and we'll meet up at the end of this article.

On tackling first-year classes…

Source.

“Be honest when it comes to your study and work habits—it will make group work much more manageable! And don’t be afraid of group projects—you get what you put into them and they can turn into wonderful opportunities outside the classroom." 

- Dana Murray

“Doesn’t matter if you are the best researcher on campus and have your semester planned down to a T, your personal librarian and faculty advisor are there to help you, so let them. They can offer tips and tricks, direct you down new avenues and contribute to your overall success.” 

- Alyssa Trudeau

On working, volunteering, and internships…

“Work, volunteer, take up professional development opportunities available to you. When you graduate and are applying to jobs your degree looks the same on paper to an employer as anyone else with the same skills. Show them what else you've been doing and took extra time for. Be sure to always to keep time for something you love that isn't school related to keep your sanity *smile emoticon*.”

- Haleigh Fox

“Use this [volunteer] time to explore roles that might not interest you (or that you haven't given a second thought). So many people have found their 'true' calling somewhat accidentally.”

- Anonymous

“Definitely take advantage of the internship program, that is my biggest regret—and consider jobs that are close to the field even if they are not exact, it’s a good way to build connections.”

- Amber Roberts

“If you are not enjoying volunteering or extracurricular you are doing, leave it. Don't try to fit yourself into a box that doesn't feel right. Now is the time to find your passion—don’t settle for less.”

- Stephanie Peryton

“Don’t wait for internships to open up to you through the portal or any other school source. Go get it yourself.”

- Maya Donkers

“A lot of museums start hiring for internships early! Start researching as early as possible.”

- Taryn Foss

On grad school life (socializing, eating, and staying caffeinated)…

“If you want free snacks and food, check out the 7th floor everyday. The bathrooms in the basement are the cleanest and most spacious on campus. Have fun!”

- Sean Li

“Don’t be scared of second years!”

- Taryn Foss

“Coffee will be your best friend.”

-  Bridget Collings

“For obvious reasons (because I have the best group of Mastermates ever!) I definitely advise that new students take-part in the many socials and events that are planned by the iSchool committees. Not only are the events fun and informative, they are excellent ways to meet new people, including classmates and the faculty. A two-year MA program is no joke, creating a support system of great friends/classmates is essential. Also, there is often free food.”

- Alyssa Trudeau

On taking care of yourself…

 

An uplifting statement from the very inspirational Elle Woods. Source.

“The piece of advice I would have given myself is to trust in my abilities and to not let any feelings of doubt grow big enough to distract me from opportunities to really enjoy starting my Master's. A bit of apprehension and stress is good because it can motivate you to work harder, but don't let your first semester in the MMSt program be all work and no fun!”

- Madeline Smolarz

“Take the time to make yourself happy. At the end of the day you (and your health) matter more than anything." 

- Hayley Mae Jones

On concluding this edition of the Grad School Guide...

I shall conclude by touching upon the one piece of advice I wish someone had told me before beginning the MMSt program: GET A KEY FOB!!! What is this magical and mystical appliance, you might ask? The fob is none other than an electronic keychain attachment providing 24/7 access to the iSchool. Many of my fellow classmates know that I was the last person in the class to get a fob so, as my gift to you, I am attaching a link to the iSchool Access Fob request form. May the fob be with you.

I know the thought of starting grad school in September might seem scary and overwhelming right now, and all of the sage advice included above might be a lot of information to take in, but don't worry, I've got you people covered. Stay tuned for the next edition of the Grad School Guide on June 17th and stay cool, first-year friends.

COFFEE WITH A BOBCAT: TURTLE BAY EXPLORATION PARK IN REDDING, CA

A MUSE BOUCHE

BY: ERIKA ROBERTSON

Welcome to my new column exploring the intersection of food and museums! I’ll take a moment to explain my experiment. Museums and food have had a contentious relationship; exhibitions typically begin with signs like this:

Please respect the signs. Photo by Erika Robertson.

Curators and collections managers are protecting artifacts from ice cream fingerprints and the ants that follow. Yet in some ways, food belongs in museums because eating is a universal, and yet intensely cultural, personal, and emotional part of life. Many artifacts begin life as everyday tools for preparing, eating, or serving food. We can’t forget that museum audiences also need sustenance to absorb all those cultural experiences.

So it makes sense that museum folks are taking an interest in foodways. This emerging field brings together farmers, chefs, and people who eat to ask questions such as:

•       Who’s working in the kitchen?
•       Who’s around the table?
•       What’s being served? Source.

My take on these questions will involve a lot of travel. This summer, follow me as I eat my way through museums in California, Washington, and British Columbia. This first article is an overview of some ways in which food influences interpretation, but later stories will explore an issue (or a meal) in greater depth.

This month I visited my little sister, Miranda, at Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding, California. The park includes botanical gardens, a museum, and Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp. The little zoo specialized in native species, such as the turtles that give the area its name. Most importantly, they have a Coffee Bar!

 Museum, aquarium, coffee? Someone has their priorities right. Photo by Erika Robertson.

My exploration began in the permanent history exhibition, where I was surprised to find... food! The display asked me to pack supplies I would need for a gold panning expedition. The text reminds visitors, “How are you going to cook your food? How are you going to eat it?” The exhibit brought back happy hours spent playing Oregon Trail as a kid.

I don’t remember whiskey as an option back then.... Photo by Erika Robertson.

After touring the museum, I headed outside to Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp, where Miranda and her fellow trainers were rehearsing their summer performance. According to my sister, the animals displayed their natural behaviors on cue because they expect a tasty reward. Of course these behaviours were all about finding food, a drive Homo sapiens share with all species.

That's my sister! Did you know bobcats jump to catch birds out of the air? Photo by Erika Robertson.

Watching the animals eat gave me an appetite, so I circled back to the coffee shop. As I munched on my turkey sub, I wondered about the relationship between food sales and Turtle Bay’s mission: “To inspire wonder, exploration, and appreciation of our world” (source). Some products are advertized as local or environmentally friendly, but I didn’t see a consistent message between retail, museum exhibitions, and Paul Bunyan Forest Camp.

Cute, but is it relevant? Photo by Erika Robertson.

Poking into Turtle Bay’s operations confirmed my theory: as an independent non-profit, sales of food, drinks, and merchandise account for 17% of their operating budget (source). Following the global financial crisis, the City of Redding removed their support in 2010 (source).The institution’s goal to “strengthen our financial stability” may mean remodelling the cafe (source).

So can I feel good about my food dollars helping Turtle Bay feed its animals, pay their staff, and expand? I look forward to hearing your thoughts.