| Contact:
Jeff Morgan, Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov,
(515) 281-3858
Andrea Smith, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield,
515-245-4862
(DES
MOINES) – The State Historical Museum
announced today that Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue
Shield is sponsoring free admission for children 12
and younger to visit “Hatching the Past: The
Great Dinosaur Egg Hunt,” a new exhibit that
opens Saturday.
“Hatching the Past” offers a rare and
exciting look at the life of dinosaurs through their
eggs, nests and embryos. The hands-on exhibit offers
an array of authentic dinosaur eggs and nests collected
from all over the globe – including those of
each of the major plant- and meat-eating dinosaur
groups. Admission to the exhibit is $5 per person,
free for children 12 and younger, thanks to the generous
support of Wellmark, and for State Historical Society
of Iowa members. Due to the sensitive nature of the
artifacts in Hatching the Past, children 12 and younger
must be accompanied by an adult for admission into
the exhibit. Tickets are available at the Iowa Museum
Store in the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust
Street in Des Moines’ Historic East Village.
Admission to the museum remains free. Hours are 9
a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and Noon-4:30 p.m.
Sunday. Call 515-281-5111 or visit www.iowahistory.org
for more information.
“We are very grateful to Wellmark Blue Cross
and Blue Shield for their support of this exciting
new exhibit,” said Cyndi Pederson, Interim Director
of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. “As
a trustee of Iowa’s historical legacy, the State
Historical Society records our history and educates
the community about our past. This exhibit offers
children a unique and different look at dinosaur ‘history.’
We are grateful for Wellmark’s financial support
to underwrite the costs of children coming to experience
the exhibit. Wellmark is providing children, regardless
of their income level, the opportunity to experience
dinosaur babies. Together, we hope to educate and
inspire young minds throughout Iowa.”
“We try to support unique fundraising events
in the community that also help to educate in a safe,
fun, family-oriented environment,” said Andrea
Smith, Senior Communications Consultant – Community
Relations for Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
“‘Hatching the Past’ is a wonderful
example of a community event that the entire family
can enjoy, and we’re thrilled to be a part of
it.”
Although dinosaur eggs were first identified in the
1920s, their scientific significance was not fully
appreciated until the end of the 20th century. Today,
dinosaur eggs are recognized for their scientific
value and for offering details and insights into the
behavior, growth and evolution of dinosaurs.
“Hatching the Past” presents new findings
about dinosaur reproduction and behavior and introduces
some of the people and science behind the discoveries.
The multi-media experience helps give credence to
long debated theories that dinosaurs and birds are
closely related.
A captivating experience for all ages, “Hatching
the Past” invites visitors to see or touch more
than 300 dinosaur bones and reconstructed nests –
one more than eight feet in diameter – dig for
eggs, experience hands-on exploration stations and
view animated video presentations featuring dinosaur
experts.
“Hatching the Past” was developed by
Charlie and Florence Magovern of The Stone Company,
Boulder, Colorado, in association with the Harvard
Museum of Natural History. The Magoverns gained national
recognition when their work was featured as the cover
story in the May 1996 issue of National Geographic.
The State Historical Museum staff will offer a variety
of programs in conjunction with the exhibit, including
lectures and a book signing by world-renowned paleontologist
Jack Horner March 30-31. Horner, who discovered his
first dinosaur fossil at age 8, has made some of the
most important recent dinosaur discoveries, written
several books about his experiences and theories,
and served as a technical adviser for Jurassic Park,
The Lost World (Jurassic Park II) and Jurassic Park
III, serving as partial inspiration for the movie’s
lead character, Dr. Alan Grant. The museum will screen
Jurassic Park March 31 at 4 p.m. with an introduction
delivered by Horner. Visit www.iowahistory.org
for more information.
Wellmark, Inc. (www.wellmark.com)
does business as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
of Iowa. Wellmark and its subsidiaries and affiliated
companies, including Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue
Shield of South Dakota and Wellmark Health Plan of
Iowa, Inc. insure or pay health benefit claims for
approximately two million individuals. Wellmark Blue
Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, Wellmark Blue Cross
and Blue Shield of South Dakota, and Wellmark Health
Plan of Iowa, Inc. are independent licensees of the
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
The State Historical Society of Iowa is a trustee
of Iowa’s historical legacy and an advocate
for understanding Iowa’s past. It identifies,
records, collects, preserves, manages and provides
access to Iowa’s historical resources. Its dual
mission of preservation and education serves Iowans
of all ages, conducts and stimulates research, disseminates
information, and encourages and supports historical
preservation and education efforts of others throughout
the state. Visit www.iowahistory.org
or call 515-281-5111 for more information.
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