Document Actions
UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History welcomes winter
Annual winter solstice celebration on Dec. 19
EUGENE, Ore. -- (Dec. 4, 2008) – Storytelling, dancing, crafts and a lecture are planned for the annual winter solstice celebration from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 19, at the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 1680 E. 15th Ave.
Winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, when the earth is farthest from the sun. This astronomical change of seasons has been celebrated in different cultures for centuries. Children’s crafts and a "Science of the Solstice" activity will take place throughout the evening at the museum, with additional activities at nearby buildings.
Different cultures will be celebrated from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Many Nations Longhouse, 1630 Columbia St. Storyteller and history keeper Esther Stutzman will tell Kalapuya and Coos stories and the Chinese American Benevolent Association's Lion Dancers and the Eugene Taiko Drummers will perform.
Mary Jaeger, classics professor, will give a presentation on the Roman Saturnalia from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 184 of the Knight Law School, 1515 Agate St. The Roman Saturnalia festival, held around the winter solstice, marked the dedication of a temple to Saturn. During the festival, slaves and masters traded roles, gifts were exchanged and an atmosphere of good cheer was encouraged. Jaeger will speak on the traditions of the festival and how they have carried over into modern celebrations of Christmas.
Admission for this event is $8 for families, $3 individuals and free for museum members and UO faculty, staff and students.
Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission is $3 for adults; $2 for seniors and youths ages 17 and under and $8 for families (two adults and up to four youths). Museum members, university faculty and staff and students are admitted free. Admission is free for the public on Wednesdays.
About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.
Contact: Heidi Hiaasen, media relations coordinator, 541-346-3606, heidih@uoregon.edu
Links: Museum of Natural and Cultural History, http://natural-history.uoregon.edu
###