A Day at the American Museum of Natural History

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When you get off the train from Peekskill, you arrive at Grand Central Station. From there, you take the subway and you walk a little while…that’s when you arrive at the two large brown doors: the entrance to the Museum.

As you begin your journey through the Museum, you see a whole lot of normal things. For example, you see the eatery, bathrooms, etc. That’s because you arrive on the ground floor from the subway. As you make your way upstairs you will start to see so many exhibits that would spark anyone’s interest. Our Anthropology class, though, is heading for the exhibits called the Cultural Halls, and the Hall of Human Origins – the one with the cavemen. We are visiting them to learn more about our subject.

Anthropology is the study of humans. It is the comparative study of human societies and cultures and their developments. That’s what the Cultural Halls at the American Museum of Natural History are all about. Each exhibit is filled with information and they are all very educational. You will be surprised that all the things you thought were boring will turn into something interesting that you would want to learn more about. It’s very fun learning about the cultures that are different from yours.

When our OC 21 Anthropology class visited the Museum recently, we met with Dr. Lacey, who works there in the Department of Anthropology. She gave us a tour and explained a lot about a book she is writing on the effects of climate change in Samoa the sea levels are rising and changing how people have to live. She also talked to us about the importance of anthropologists in helping people in West Africa deal with the Ebola epidemic, especially western medical people coming in who don’t know the different customs of Liberia or Guinea. She really explained how important it is to respect other people. We had a great visit.

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