StoriesHere

A conversation with Dr. Jeff Hall, Director That Frequently Asked Question, ‘Where is God?', is one of many the staff hears at the Lowell Observatory, especially during astronomy nights.  In this wide-ranging conversation with Lowell's Director, Dr. Jeff Hall, we talk about everything from that to Venus and Mars, space debris, the connection between music and astronomy, and much, much more. The Lowell Observatory is a time machine, from its study of the origins of the universe, to a future of life on other planets, to the hurdles we may be putting up with so many spacecraft in the sky.  To learn more and support the observatory, go to Lowell.edu. And here's a story about the total solar eclipse discussed in this episode. Transcript Intro with music: Welcome to the StoriesHere Podcast Dr. Jeff Hall, Director, Lowell Observatory: I had several people come up to me literally in tears. They were so overwhelmed, particularly if they've never seen a total eclipse before. It's a pretty amazing experience. And I think it's that absolute wonder and awe of what we see when we look into the cosmos. Wayne Parker, Host, StoriesHere Podcast That's Dr. Jeff Hall, director of the Lowell Observatory, talking about the 2017 total solar eclipse which he hosted on a live program with the Science Channel that was viewed by 1.6 million people. That group was gathered in Madras, Oregon on a high school football field and it was reported that after the eclipse passed, they cheered, “Do it again.” Wayne Parker: This is Wayne Parker, host of the StoriesHere Podcast. And on that day, I was about 100 miles to the west in Corvallis, Oregon and experienced totality about three minutes before it reached to Jeff's Science Channel group. So at 10:18 that morning of August 21st, 2017, we stood in a public park and watched as the sun was totally blocked by the moon plunging our world into darkness. Streetlights came on, and it was truly one of those feelings were words can't do justice. In addition to things like explaining eclipses on television, as the director of Lowell Observatory, Jeff helps lead a center that Time magazine named one of the world's 100 most important places. Are you surprised that this place outside Flagstaff, Arizona, is on a list of the world's most important places along the Great Wall of China and the Roman Colosseum? There are many more surprises in today's StoriesHere episode. Thank you for joining us. I'm your host, Wayne Parker, our adviser is museum expert Alice Parman, and original music is by George Davidson. And did you know the Planet Pluto was discovered at Lowell? More on that to come. It's also a major education center and has been called America's observatory. So in their education role, I asked next about any visitor comments that Jeff particularly remembers. Jeff Hall: An email will land in my inbox from a mom somewhere and saying literally, you changed my kid's life because of the experience they had here and the high opening of views they got and the exposure they got to astronomy and science. And knowing that we have positively impacted a young life and maybe inspired a scientist of the next generation, that's amazingly satisfying and definitely part of why we do what we do. Wayne Parker: And how do you look at that bridge between the research and the outreach, because you have a big staff there, you have all these research going on and historically, Lowell is known for real breakthroughs, the discovery of Pluto, really crucial background in understanding the Big Bang. And yet, you do a great conjunction at Christmas last year. There were 75,000 people live paying attention to that and over two million views on YouTube. Jeff, what's the source of all that interest in astronomy and how do you capitalize on it in that way? Jeff Hall: Well, the connection goes all the way back to our founder, Percival Lowell, who believed very firmly that astronomical dis...

This episode is an intriguing conversation with Dr. Kirsten Ellenbogen President & CEO at Great Lakes Science Center (GSLC), Cleveland, Ohio, United States, on Lake Erie. The Center has been named one of 15 museum finalists for the nation's highest honor for the field: the 2021 Institute for Museum & Library Service Medal. https://greatscience.com/great-lakes-science-cen Here's a bit more background on Dr. Ellenbogen....."As third President and CEO of Great Lakes Science Center, she has launched Cleveland Creates, a strategic initiative developed in collaboration with corporate leaders to change the community’s narrative around advanced manufacturing and technology for diverse middle-school youth and families. Great Lakes Science Center is a non-profit, educational institution that envisions a community where all people value science, technology, engineering, and math to inform decision-making and enrich lives. It is home to the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, the nationally recognized MC2 STEM High School (grade 9) and features hundreds of hands-on exhibits, daily demonstrations, and the OMNIMAX® Theater." And here's a short video introduction to the Center... https://youtu.be/NnDdmpIyYrU

The world's largest children's museum holds lots of stories.  Here's a fascinating conversation about many of them with Jennifer Pace Robinson, the Executive Vice President of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Did you know she's helped design children's museums all over the world?  Find out what that's like, and how children's museums are really for adults too. Thank you to our StoriesHere Advisor Alice Parman and Audio Engineer George Davidson. Hear more fascinating conversations with museum leaders in other StoriesHere episodes.

Direct from the world’s only superhero and comic museum, this is a heroic conversation with Allen Stewart, Director and Founder of the Hall of Heroes – Superhero Museum in Elkhart, Indiana.  You'll appreciate Allen's insight and knowledge, along with some surprises, about the history of Superheroes. Superheroes are important in so many ways….discover how they've changed and why they've endured for so long. Learn more about the Museum at https://hallofheroesmuseum.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hohmuseum/. StoriesHere is a volunteer project based in Eugene, Oregon created by people who think museums are important and fun.  Our mission is to highlight a variety of museums through conversations with their leaders. Special thanks to Alice Parman, Advisor, and George Davidson, Audio Engineer.  The host is Wayne Parker.

Here’s a surprising, funny and important conversation with Louise Reilly Sacco, Permanent Acting Interim Executive Director, Museum Of Bad Art in Boston, MA, US. Website: museumofbadart.org and Facebook:  Museum of Bad Art. MOBA – Museum Of Bad Art – ‘art too bad to be ignored’.  The world’s only museum dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition and celebration of bad art in all its forms.  Our growing collection of works of Bad Art awaits your discerning eye. The World’s Ten Most Unusual Museums You Should Visit – The Culture Trip Only Top TEN?  A newspaper in New Delhi says it’s one of the world’s SIX must-see museums. You won’t want to miss this surprising conversation with Louise, and tell your friends! ‘Sunday on the Pot With George’ – John Gedraitis Click here for CBS feature of this painting ‘Lucy in the Field with Flowers’ – Anonymous

Today's episode is part of Museum Mondays, a conversation with Jane Turner of the Children's Museum of Atlanta.  The title is a comment of hers about how children see the world. Jane is the Executive Director, Children’s Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr., Atlanta, GA  30313, Phone (404) 659-5437 - Website: childrensmuseumatlanta.org Here is a comment from the Museum about play... Play is freedom. Play is creativity. Play is important. Children’s Museum of Atlanta empowers kids to “create their own learning adventures” and be free to play. Thank you to Julia Clinch, Brave Public Relations for the help in arranging this episode.  The podcast Host is Wayne Parker, Advisor is Alice Parman and Audio Editor is George Davidson. For more information on children's museums, contact the Association of Children's Museums at https://www.childrensmuseums.org/        

With museums facing so many challenges, and opportunities, what a great time to talk with Elizabeth Merritt.  She is the Vice President for Strategic Foresight and Founding Director of the Center for the Future of Museums at the American Alliance of Museums.   We're excited with this episode to launch Museum Mondays, and will have a new StoriesHere episode coming to you every other Monday.  For reminders of each episode, please sign up here, or with your favorite podcast player. Host: Wayne Parker; Advisor: Alice Parman; Audio Editor:  George Davidson Show Notes American Alliance of Museums www.aam-us.org on Twitter @aamers Center for the Future of Museums www.aam-us.org/programs/center-for-the-future-of-museums/ on Twitter @futureofmuseums Subscribe to CFM’s free weekly e-newsletter Dispatches from the Future of Museums  bit.ly/dispatchesfromthefuture The Umbrella Cover Museum: https://www.umbrellacovermuseum.org/ Woodlawn Plantation https://savingplaces.org/places/woodlawn#.X_84JBZ7mUl and it’s work with Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture http://arcadiafood.org/ And a blog post from Woodlawn’s director about this work: https://www.aam-us.org/2011/02/01/saving-the-historic-house-while-saving-the-world/ Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/newsroom/media-kits/sfw-introduction-and-mission Museum of Tomorrow, Sao Paulo, Brazil https://museudoamanha.org.br/en Blog posts about their AI chatbot IRIS+ : https://www.aam-us.org/2018/06/12/iris-part-one-designing-coding-a-museum-ai/ https://www.aam-us.org/2018/06/19/iris-part-two-how-to-embed-a-museums-personality-and-values-in-ai/ Facts about America’s Museums https://www.aam-us.org/programs/about-museums/ The Dunkleosteus fossil at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History that made Elizabeth pee her pants as a toddler https://www.cmnh.org/dunk  

This StoriesHere episode features a conversation with Jennifer Grant Warner, President and CEO of Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta, Georgia.  Stories range from the very different experience of being in an old growth forest, to how to pronounce Argentinosaurus (I failed).  Below is a little background from their website on why the title refers to ‘The Audacity of Hope’.  Then join our conversation to learn about this place in Atlanta ‘Where Science, Nature and Fun Make History’! "In the late 1800’s a young woman named Emily Harrison played in one of Atlanta, Georgia’s woodlands. Later in life, she would help preserve 65 acres of land that she played on, which she called “Fernbank.”  As Atlanta grew and became more urbanized, woodlands were disappearing.  In 1939, with the assistance of other “conservation‐minded environmentalists,” she purchased Fernbank Forest with its creek and forest of ferns.    Fernbank Museum of Natural History may be the only natural history museum to ‘grow’ out of the forest.  The museum opened in 1992, and in 2001 the museum became the first to display the world’s largest dinosaurs as a part of their permanent exhibition."

This conversation is with Laura Fry, Senior Curator and Curator of Art for the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The discussion includes topics from "Did the Supreme Court really give eastern Oklahoma back to the native Americans?".....to what kids can teach us about art, the role painter Thomas Moran played in establishing our national park system, and the rare opportunity to plan a completely new museum.  And how a museum with the largest collection of American western art is a bit of a hidden gem.  Perhaps that will be changing with the construction and opening of an expansive new building. And more about the Museum from their web site...."Thomas Gilcrease, a citizen of the Muscogee Creek Nation, established Gilcrease Museum in 1949 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Today the interdisciplinary collection contains more than 350,000 items. The museum represents hundreds of Indigenous cultures from across North and South America, with material culture and archaeology ranging from 12,000 BCE to the 21st century. The collection includes more than 350 years of American paintings, sculptures and works on paper, including the largest public holdings of art of the American West."

Greetings, Wayne Parker here, with a conversation about Nordic culture, which is today more important than ever.  And we’ll get…

This episode is a conversation with Leslie Anderson, the Director of Collections, Exhibitions, and Programs for the spectacular National Nordic…

Greetings, Wayne Parker here, with a conversation about Nordic culture, which is today more important than ever.  And we’ll get…

This episode is a conversation with Leslie Anderson, the Director of Collections, Exhibitions, and Programs for the spectacular National Nordic…

The ComputerWorld blog described this episode: ” ‘What does it mean to be a human in a world of computing?’…

This episode is an important and fascinating conversation with Judith Margles, Director of the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for…

This episode is an important and fascinating conversation with Judith Margles, Director of the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for…

The ComputerWorld blog described this episode: ” ‘What does it mean to be a human in a world of computing?’…

This episode is an important conversation with Kevin Cabrera, Executive Director of the Heritage Museum of Orange County. You’ll hear…

This episode is an important conversation with Kevin Cabrera, Executive Director of the Heritage Museum of Orange County. You’ll hear…

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site Conversation with Sean Kelley – Senior Vice President and Director of Interpretation This is Part…

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site Conversation with Sean Kelley – Senior Vice President and Director of Interpretation There are many…

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site Conversation with Sean Kelley – Senior Vice President and Director of Interpretation This is Part…

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site Conversation with Sean Kelley – Senior Vice President and Director of Interpretation There are many…

We’re talking in this episode with Cheryl Marcell, President and CEO of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation in Sacramento,…

We’re talking in this episode with Cheryl Marcell, President and CEO of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation in Sacramento,…

This episode is our conversation with Braden Paynter, Program Manager for the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience. Imagine 290…

This episode is our conversation with Braden Paynter, Program Manager for the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience. Imagine 290…

What history the Wilton House has seen.  This episode is a conversation with Katie Watkins, Education Director of the Wilton…

What history the Wilton House has seen.  This episode is a conversation with Katie Watkins, Education Director of the Wilton…

Julie Stein, Executive Director of the Burke Museum, and Wayne Parker, Host of the StoriesHere Podcast Wayne: Greetings. This is…

Julie Stein, Executive Director of the Burke Museum, and Wayne Parker, Host of the StoriesHere Podcast Wayne: Greetings. This is…

Folklife Stories with John Fenn – this episode includes some surprising stories and a peek into the life of a…

Folklife Stories with John Fenn – this episode includes some surprising stories and a peek into the life of a…

This conversation ranges from dinosaurs, stars, drugs, personal computers, and much more...all in the Land of Enchantment.  We are honored to talk with Margie Marino, Executive Director of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science in Albuquerque.  Visitors of all ages rave about the range of things to do and learn at the Museum.  New Mexico had a sea coast?  Microsoft was founded there?  Those and more surprises in this fun conversation.

This conversation ranges from dinosaurs, stars, drugs, personal computers, and much more…all in the Land of Enchantment.  We are honored…

This episode is an interview with Dana Whitelaw, Executive Director of the High Desert Museum just south of Bend, Oregon.  This Museum is all about wildlife and living history, a place that immerses visitors in the unique environment of Central Oregon’s desert region.  Here's an excerpt from the website at highdesertmuseum.org. This unique museum reveals the natural world and cultural history of the West’s High Desert region through artful exhibits, alluring animals, engaging programs and meaningful history. Whether you’re a local or planning to visit Bend Oregon, discover why we’re a top-rated Thing to Do in Bend by TripAdvisor! The Museum is just 5 minutes south of Bend or 10 minutes north of Sunriver on Highway 97, but it feels like stepping into a different time and place. Get close-up views of native wildlife such as river otters, porcupines and birds of prey. See art through a different lens. Chat with historic characters who’ll share tales of early Oregon explorers and settlers. Visit an authentic homestead and sawmill from 1904. Learn about Native American culture and history, and delight your children with one of many fun, hands-on programs. You’ll be glad you came!

Among many stories from today's conversation with Alice Parman is the time she was in the ring with Muhammad Ali!  Just one of the many events of note from her career with museums.  Now as a consultant, she helps museums all over the country with their planning and organization.  Part 1 - 8 minutes, Part 2 - 22 minutes. Alice is the author of Exhibit Makeovers: A Do-It-Yourself Workbook for Small Museums. She has been the President of the Oregon Museum Association, taught courses in personand online. She honed her managerial and problem-solving skills as department head at a large museum and director of two smaller non-profits. You can find out more at her website, aparman.com.

This episode is an interview with Dana Whitelaw, Executive Director of the High Desert Museum just south of Bend, Oregon. …

Among many stories from today’s conversation with Alice Parman is the time she was in the ring with Muhammad Ali! …

Can you guess the place that's the favorite birding spot of a world champion of birding? (spoiler alert: It's in Oregon!). This conversation with Noah Strycker covers his adventures as a young rock-star of birding, far from the birder stereotype and a leader of the resurgence of interest in birding by people of all ages. Noah is the author of the New York Times Editor's Choice book Birding Without Borders about his world record setting 'Big Year'.  It's a remarkable book, with adventures of interest to people whether you are a birder or just like a good rollicking travel story.

This conversation with Noah Strycker covers his adventures as a young rock-star of birding, far from the birder stereotype and…

The first round-the-world airplane flight started where?  Bob Hart, Executive Director of the Lane County History Museum describes the original Eugene Air Park, built at the urging of Mahlon Sweet, whose name was given to today's main airport in Eugene. Image: Eugene Airport

The first round-the-world airplane flight started where?  Bob Hart, Executive Director of the Lane County History Museum describes the original…

Many surprising stories in this episode, from a conversation with Bob Hart, Executive Director of the Lane County History Museum.  Find out more about the Museum at lchm.org.

Many surprising stories in this episode, from a conversation with Bob Hart, Executive Director of the Lane County History Museum.…

There are many wonderful surprises in this episode, a conversation with Dr. Tom Connolly, Director of Archeological Research at the University of Oregon. For example, the stories of the 10,000 year old intact sandals.  And then learning that the archeology of Oregon is of surprising depth and importance.  Oh, and yes, about those camels…. Image: Museum of Natural and Cultural History

Pioneer stories from an interview with Bethany Nemec of the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

The early days of Portland, Oregon, as told through this interview with Patti Larkin, Curator of the Pittock Mansion. Henry Pittock was the owner of the Oregonian newspaper, who came across on the Oregon Trail and became one of the most influential people in early Oregon.

Pioneer stories from an interview with Bethany Nemec of the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

The early days of Portland, Oregon, as told through this interview with Patti Larkin, Curator of the Pittock Mansion. Henry Pittock was the owner of the Oregonian newspaper, who came across on the Oregon Trail and became one of the most influential people in early Oregon.

There are many wonderful surprises in this episode, a conversation with Dr. Tom Connolly, Director of Archeological Research at the…