UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History to host holiday open house

EUGENE, Ore. -- (Nov. 13, 2008) –The UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History is hosting a holiday open house featuring three days of guests and activities. The public is invited to take part in the free events from Friday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 23, at the museum, 1680 E. 15th Ave.

On Nov. 21, local authors Bob Welch, Lauren Kessler and William Sullivan will sign books from 5 to 6 p.m.
• Bob Welch is an award-winning author and columnist for The Register-Guard; his new book, "Pebble in the Water," was published this fall.
• Lauren Kessler directs the UO School of Journalism and Communication's Literary Nonfiction program. Her most recent book, "Dancing with Rose," won the Pacific Northwest Book Award and the Sarah Winnemucca Award for Creative Nonfiction.
• William Sullivan is best known for his series of hiking guide books and writes a monthly column for The Register-Guard.

On Nov. 22, Kevin Kurtz, children’s author and education director at the Science Factory, will read and direct activities for kids from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Kurtz is the author of "A Day at the Salt Marsh."

On Nov. 23, local artisans will answer questions and explain their crafts including jewelers Deb Schussler of The Twisted Goddess and Marlene Townsend of Voyager Jewelry. In addition, Grand Ronde tribal member Sam Henry will show native basketry techniques while Jan Bullock creates pine needle baskets from 1 to 3 p.m.

Past and Presents, the museum store, features a diverse selection of nature-inspired handcrafted artwork, educational kids’ corner, and a wide array of books on the natural and cultural history of Oregon. The museum exhibit space will also be open during the open house weekend. Currently on display are "Oregon – Where Past is Present," "Walk a Mile in These Shoes – The Stories They Tell," and "Rock, Water, Fire, Earth and Sky – Photographs of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest by David N Jones."

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: Julie Brown, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu

Link: Museum of Natural and Cultural History events calendar, http://natural-history.uoregon.edu/Pages/calendar.html

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