Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics Exhibition at a Glance

For Immediate Release
Contact: Nancy O'Shea
(312) 665-7103 (For Media Use Only)

The Exhibition at a Glance

Exhibition Title:	GREGOR MENDEL: Planting the Seeds of Genetics
Exhibition Dates:	Friday, September 15, 2006 through Sunday, April 1, 2007
Media Preview:	Tuesday, September 12, 2006, at 9 a.m.
Overview:	Learn about the brilliant 19th-century friar who became the father of modern genetics. Recreate Gregor Mendel’s famous pea experiment to discover the laws of heredity for yourself. Understand the basics of genetics, and meet modern Mendels – scientists on the cutting edge of this field today. Visitors will see how Mendel conducted his groundbreaking eight-year-long experiment with pea plants, meticulously collecting data and carefully studying the results. This allowed Mendel to discern patterns that revealed “elements” that are responsible for traits being passed from generation to generation. Today what he called elements are known as “genes.” Mendel identified the existence of dominant and recessive traits and established the fundamental laws for how physical traits are passed down through generations. Mendel’s discovery eventually led to an explosion of genetic research which continues today. The exhibition features several hands-on interactive displays, five videos and about 100 objects including Mendel’s letters, journals, books, photographs, botanical specimens, scientific tools and garden implements. It also includes several unique works of art created by contemporary artists whose work explores the subject of genetics. Originally ignored by the scientific community, Mendel’s wondrous discoveries and his dramatic story are given new life by this wonderful exhibition at The Field Museum.
Location:	The Field Museum 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois 60605-2496
Phone Numbers:	312/922-9410 General Field Museum Information 312/665-7100 Public Relations (not for publication)
Organizers:	The exhibition and its North American tour were developed by The Field Museum in Chicago in partnership with Vereinigung zur Förderung der Genomforschung in Vienna, Austria, and The Mendel Museum in Brno, Czech Republic.
Admission:	Tickets to Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics include Museum admission and are priced at $19 for adults, $14 for seniors and students with ID, and $9 for children 4-11 years old. Discounts are available for Chicago residents. Visit www.fieldmuseum.org or call (312) 922-9410 for details. To purchase tickets call (866) FIELD-03 (866-343-5303), visit www.fieldmuseum.org, or come to the Field Museum box office. Special rates are available for tour operators and groups of 15 or more. Call the Museum’s Group Sales office toll-free at (888) FIELD85 (888-343-5385).
Public Programs:	Programs will include lectures and presentations by Field Museum curators and other scientists on Mendel, as well as city-wide programs, adult classes, family workshops and gallery programs. Also, artists and authors will discuss their work on topics related to the exhibition. For updates on public programs and special events, please call (312) 665-7400.