“Butterflies and Plants: Partners in Evolution,” the Smithsonian’s new long-term exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History…
…opened today in
Aside from the oooh-aaaah factor of so many butterflies, the exhibition uses video and interactive displays to give visitors a look at how butterflies and plants have successfully evolved, adapted and diversified together.
MONARCH SIPS NECTAR FROM A ZINNIA
Inside, the pavilion is kept at a 80 degrees and 80 percent humidity. Tropical plants provide a lush environment for the guest insects. All the walls are curved in order to keep the butterflies from being trapped in corners. Dawn happens gradually for the butterflies in the morning and sunset gradually descends in the evening. All-in-all not a bad way for a butterfly to live.
More than 300 butterflies and moths of more than 30 species and from as far away as
OWL BUTTERFLY
Exhibit curators replenish the supply regularly from shipments of chrysalides from around the world because the butterflies and moths are not allowed to reproduce because of strict USDA regulations. Eggs that are deposited are removed and destroyed.
And now for the controversy…
Of course, nothing happens in
But since the Smithsonian is largely funded by the federal government (about 70%), some people have their panties in a wad about having to pay anything at all to get in. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton has even introduced a bill that would prohibit the institution from charging admission for any permanent exhibition. (I like Eleanor. But this isn’t one of her smartest moves.)
Since I worked in a major art museum for nearly five years, I can speak with some authority when I say that museums all over are struggling. Government support is down and private donations for the arts must compete with a proliferating number of humanitarian causes among donors. And running a museum is a very expensive proposition.
The Smithsonian has been in the news for several years now for the appalling state of some of its aging facilities. Artwork and historic objects don’t just take care of themselves. They must be maintained in climate controlled environments, cleaned and preserved. Security must be provided to keep the treasures and the huge numbers of people who visit them safe.
All that takes money. Sadly, it’s not realistic to think that taxpayers can pony up any more dollars to prop up this wonderful but aging national treasure. The money must come from somewhere. Selected admissions fees seem a sensible idea. It will allow the museums to maintain collections and continue their work to make the national treasures accessible.
The wealth of free attractions in the D.C. area is astounding. But just because something is free, doesn’t mean it doesn’t cost money to maintain.
Climbing down off the soap box now…
Anyway, I digress. If you’re interested in visiting the exhibition, you can learn more about it here. You can also see some of the butterflies from the exhibit in the photo section of this blog.
**Photos were supplied by the National Museum of Natural History
February 15th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Tom Humes
February 15th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Very informative. Now I want to go! The butterflies are gorgeous.
You’re not so very far away. Go! Enjoy!
Robin at Bumblebee
February 15th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I love the butterfly exhibit here in Indy. I bet the one in D.C. would be spectacular. I agree, particularly in these times, there should be a charge for admissions rather than the taxpayers footing the whole bill.
Thanks, Robin. Yes, with so many things that taxpayers need to support, I think it’s not unreasonable to expect exhibit goers to spent just a bit to see. And there are also plenty of free things in D.C., so it’s not as if we’re denying education and information to the masses.
Robin at Bumblebee
February 15th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Isn’t it amazing how some people aren’t happy unless they’re making others miserable? If the venerable Smithsonian is having problems, then of course they ought to charge admission for an exhibit like this. We paid 10.00 to get into the one in Newfoundland last summer and it was worth every penny!
I think that the U.S. is one of the only countries whose national museums and private museums have a tradition of being free–or very very low admission. The museum I worked at struggled with this issue for many years before instituting a small admissions price. But federal and state funding plummeted 70% in the four or five years I worked there. Private donations just didn’t keep up.
Robin at Bumblebee
February 16th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
What a wonderful exhibit, and what a wonderful opportunity for people who might never experience such a sight. And then, for those of us that might experience gardens and butterflies, it’s STILL a wonderful experience!
Unfortunately not much happens that doesn’t need a little financial underpinning. Museum exhibits of any kind are not exempt. We need to remember that even a small donation helps keep some of our more simple, enjoyable pursuits solvent.
Yes, even small donations from everyone help. But have you ever noticed how few people actually donate? I am appalled.
Robin at Bumblebee
February 17th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Great post! Thanks for sharing this with us. There may be a DC trip in my future and I’d definitely go see the exhibit now that I know about it. I thought you were right to be on your soapbox, and having the background to speak from experience about the subject, makes you an advocate. Sometimes people need a little eye-opening or perspective and you did it in an informative way. This was the perfect forum for it. Thanks again.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Oh Robin, I love butterflies so much and I would definitely pay to get into an exhibit like that–especially year round. Paying less than $10 for a butterfly and flower fix in the middle of winter would be pretty cheap therapy for me!
I hope you will get a chance to go and bring back some of your own pictures for us.
Hi Ruthie,
I plan to combine my trip to see the butterflies with one to see the tulips at the National Botanical Garden. I figure if I can make it on a weekday I can get some photos without having to elbow the hoards of people!
Robin at Bumblebee
November 18th, 2009 at 11:23 am
that was really wonderful. everyone loves butterflies. cant wait to go and watch the exibit. creating a butterfly habitat . if you want to create a habitat for butterflies at home try this.