The McClung Museum at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Date Visited: October 27, 2006 Contact Information: Frank H. McClung Museum The University of Tennessee 1327 Circle Park Drive Knoxville, TN 37996-3200 Phone: (865) 974-2144 Fax: (865) 974-3827 Email: museum@utk.edu Website: http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu/ Hours: Monday through Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday: 1:00 to 5:00 pm Mission: “The Frank H. McClung Museum is an important component of The University of Tennessee, and participates in the implementation of the University's mission. The University of Tennessee is committed to the development of individuals and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. This is to be accomplished through teaching, scholarship, artistic creation, public service, and professional practice. The complementary mission of the Frank H. McClung Museum is to advance understanding and appreciation of the earth and its peoples through the collection, preservation, study, interpretation, and exhibition of objects and data. The Museum is dedicated to the support of the academic programs of The University and to the attraction and education of the broadest spectrum of participants.” My Experience: I have been to this museum often, and this time decided to take a close look at the Egypt exhibit. I have walked through the exhibit a few times, but had to do it quickly since it was the fifteen minutes I had in between classes, which were located in the museum’s auditorium downstairs. When I first enter the museum, I always enjoy the tranquility of the fountain in both the sound it offers and the graceful look of the sculpture. Right as I walk into the Egyptian exhibit, I am always captivated by their replica of the infamous Rosetta Stone. I highly doubt that during its construction its creators considered it would someday unlock the mysteries of interpreting hieroglyphics, and it is amazing to think about the great purpose the stone served. I would like to see the real thing in London someday. What I do not like about how the museum displays this particular object is its placement. It is so near the entrance that the first time I walked through the exhibit I walked right by it. It was the second time, when I was exiting the exhibit that I really noticed it. Its grand size and shiny look does grab the viewer’s attention, but I think it should be placed in a more attention grabbing space so visitors won’t be able to overlook its grandeur. The next object that I always enjoy looking at and studied even closer during this visit was the head of Nefertiti. I love the way her neck is so elongated, emphasizing her gracefulness and beauty. It also causes her to look very alert, like she knows all and sees all. The museum does a great job with the placement and lighting of Nefertiti. She definitely stands out and I can never walk by her without steely a second glance. The final object I want to highlight is the Hypostyle Hall Model. The model was made in 1894 after the temple designated for the worship of Amun-Ra. The model is so monumental, you begin to wonder how great the real thing in Karnak must be. The model is placed at a good level, making it possible to look through its columns and the intricate drawings and hieroglyphs. The height of the platform it is placed on also works to keep small children from touching it. There are signs posted asking visitors not to touch, so parents should inform their children that they shouldn’t touch it, but it is still very difficult for the little ones to resist exploring the seemingly foreign texture. In fact, I have even observed adults touching the model even though it is hard to miss the signage. All in all I think the museum does a great job with this exhibit and it is especially neat that they have a real mummy on display, although that is not really my cup of tea.

*All images are from the museum's website.

The Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bike Museum, Sparta, Wisconsin Date Visited: August 13, 2006 Contact Information: (2nd floor) 200 West Main Street Sparta, Wisconsin 54656 Phone: 608-269-0033 888-300-5302 Fax: 608-269-4423 Email: info@dekeslaton.com Hours: Summer: Mon-Sat 10a.m.-4:30p.m. Sunday 1p.m.-4p.m. Winter: Mon-Fri 10a.m.-4p.m. Saturday by appointment only Admission: Adults-$3 Kids (6-15)-$1 Kids (5 and under)-Free Mission: “The Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bike Museum, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing an understanding and encouraging an interest and appreciation in the career of Donald Kent "Deke" Slayton, History of Bicycling, Wisconsin Astronauts, and aviation in Monroe County.” Who is Deke Slayton?: Deke was born Donald Kent Slayton in Monroe county, which is also where I was born and raised. He served as a pilot in World War II and was chosen in 1959 to be “one of the elite seven,” America’s first group of astronauts called the Mercury 7. He is called “Monroe County’s most famous son.” My Experience: I first went to the bicycle exhibit called The New Freedom: The Bicycle Revolution in America. It is was really interesting to see how the bicycle evolved over the years. The exhibit included bikes that were first designed in Europe as well as those the Wright brothers invented. If you find yourself wondering why exactly this museum would be found in this small town in Wisconsin, it is because bicycling is really popular in the are and tourists often come to the area in order to take advantage of the Sparta-Elroy Bike trail that used to be railroad tracks. The trail is very scenic and well maintained by the DNR. My favorite part about it is that it has really neat old railroad tunnels to bike through. People will often bike the trails with their families and sometimes camp out along the way. One disappointment I found with this exhibit is that it does not give much information about the area’s interest in bicycling and the history of the trail. That could even stand alone as the theme of an entire exhibit. What I really enjoyed was the Draisine, a bike invented in Germany in 1816. It is also called the “walking machine” because it did not have any pedals and required someone to walk beside it, pushing whoever was sitting on it. The museum had a small exhibit on the history of aviation in the county, and I can’t recall the exact title of the exhibit. I like that they included a special section on Pearl Harbor. What makes it unique from other Pearl Harbor exhibits is that it is done through the perspective of a Pearl Harbor survivor from Monroe County, Verdeen W. Richgruber. The Deke Slayton exhibit did not disappoint. It was a great biographical exhibit, offering many details of his life and his accomplishments. I think the exhibit is especially interesting to me and others from the area because he was one of our own, and it reminds us that all of us are capable of doing great things with our own lives. When reflecting on the museum, which is relatively new, developed in 1999, I think it is a great thing for the community to have. I think it is a little odd to pair together bicycling and an astronaut, but it all makes since when considering the museum is trying to provide a history of the area and its greats.

Ijams Nature Center, Knoxville, TN Date Visited: December 1, 2006 Contact Information: 2915 Island Home Ave., Knoxville, TN 37920 Phone: 865-577-4717 Fax: 865-577-1683 Website: http://www.ijams.org/ Hours: The trails are open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. The Visitor Center is open: Monday by appointment only Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mission: “To develop and maintain the park as a wildlife sanctuary. Ijams seeks to increase knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the natural world by providing quality environmental education program and nature-related experiences for all people.” History: The Ijams Nature Center was developed on the land formerly owned by Harry and Alice Yoe Ijams. Their property consisted of a house and 20 acres of land, and both Harry and Alice loved the outdoors. Alice enjoyed gardening and Harry’s hobby was bird watching. They had four daughters and used part of the property for a Girl Scout’s summer day camp. When Harry died in 1954 and Alice followed ten years later in 1964, some Knoxville organizations worked together to purchase their land that now makes up the Ijams Nature Center. More land adjoining the Ijam’s property was also purchased, making the center even larger. My Experience: When I arrived at the Ijams Nature Center, I first went into the visitor’s center. Here, I looked at the exhibit on the history of the Ijams family. I really enjoyed the family artifacts included in this exhibit because it is interesting to see what the family would have used, like the door knocker. I also think it was a good idea to include the fake birds that Harry Ijams probably would have studied for fun when he was not looking at the real thing. The center also has live animals on exhibit. My favorite was the large snapping turtle. He was very active when I was watching him, swimming around in his big aquarium. Also in this area is their Conservation Cottage, which is really informative about what you can do in your own home to be more environmentally friendly. The building is made out of recycled materials and there were a lot of good tips on the inside of the house including information about recycling. After leaving the visitor’s center, I decided to check out the trails. I first walked the river trail, since I had enjoyed it the last time I visited the center. I love the part of this trail that goes down along the river. I sat on one of the benches for awhile and enjoyed the view. It was colder down by the river, but an unusually warm (and windy) morning anyway. I spent some time checking out the cave and was disappointed to see somebody’s garbage left behind in it. I was happy to not run into any snakes, which are all probably sleeping for the winter by now. From the river trail, I cut over onto the Discovery trail. I walked by the cool lotus pool and a sink hole. On this trail, I also got to see the old Ijam’s home site. Afterwards, I was quite tired, probably from all the wind, and I hike back to the visitor’s center, where I saw information about a program going on the next day for 2-3 year olds to learn about animals with feathers. It sounded like fun, but I don’t fit the age requirement and don’t know any 2-3 year olds in the area. Oh, well. I decide to go home then, which was a lucky decision considering what a huge drop in temperature there was. Note: I forgot my camera and found these images online.