University of California Museum of Paleontology

The University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) is a paleontology museum located on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley.

University of California Museum of Paleontology
The University of California Museum of Paleontology is located within the Valley Life Sciences Building
Established1921 (1921)
LocationBerkeley, CA
TypeNatural history museum
DirectorCharles R. Marshall
Websitewww.ucmp.berkeley.edu

The museum is within the Valley Life Sciences Building (VLSB), designed by George W. Kelham and completed in 1930.[1][2] Its collections are primarily intended for research and are, thus, not accessible to the public. A limited number of fossils from the collection is on display in the VLSB.[3] Although located on the Berkeley campus, the museum is the primary locality for storing fossils collected statewide. The original fossils, around which the current collection has grown, were those gathered as part of the California Geological Survey from 1860-1867.

Website

UCMP was one of the first museums to have its own website in the early 1990s, due to its location within a technology-oriented university with a good Internet connection. The site has been applauded for its use of visually appealing graphics,[4] was nominated for a Webby Award five times, and received a medal from the Smithsonian Institution. It also had a cameo appearance in the movie Deep Impact, albeit under an incorrect name.

Notable figures

Annie Montague Alexander was the first benefactor of the museum, and led some early expeditions.[5]

Faculty
A Tyrannosaurus skeleton located on the first floor of the VLSB

Many notable paleontologists have worked as staff at UCMP. Dates given after each name indicate when the person was part of the university faculty or working in the museum.

Directors
  1. Bruce L. Clark (1880-1945)
  2. William Diller Matthew (1871-1930)
  3. Charles Lewis Camp (1893-1975)
  4. Ruben Arthur Stirton (1901-1966)
  5. Donald E. Savage (1917-1999)
  6. Joseph T. Gregory (1914-2007)
  7. William B. N. Berry
  8. William A. Clemens Jr.
  9. Jere H. Lipps
  10. David R. Lindberg
  11. Roy L. Caldwell
  12. Charles R. Marshall

See also

References
  1. The Centennial Record of the University of California
  2. Helfland, Harvey. 2001. The Campus Guides: University of California Berkeley, p. 147
  3. "Visiting UCMP". University of California. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  4. Duff, Jon M.; James L. Mohler (1996). Laura Lemay's Web Workshop: Graphics & Web Page Design. pp. 73–74. ISBN 1-57521-125-4.
  5. "Annie Montague Alexander: Benefactress of UCMP". University of California Museum of Paleontology, University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
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