9 December 2008
Darwin, the most in-depth exhibition ever mounted on the renowned naturalist Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution, will go on display at the National Museum of Australia on December 10, 2008 until March 29, 2009.
The exhibition, which features the broadest and most complete collection ever assembled of specimens, artefacts, original manuscripts and memorabilia related to Darwin, was organised by the American Museum of Natural History, New York with the Museum of Science, Boston; The Field Museum, Chicago; the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto and the Natural History Museum, London.
Darwin, offers visitors to National Museum of Australia in Canberra an engaging and enlightening exploration of the extraordinary life and mind of Charles Darwin (1809-1882), whose curiosity, observations and discoveries 150 years ago forever changed the perception of the origin and nature of our own species and launched modern biological science.
'Charles Darwin must surely stand as one of the most influential figures of the past 200 years. His theory of evolution is popularly accepted as explaining the origins and forms of modern life on earth,' said Craddock Morton, Director of the National Museum of Australia.
'While the legacy of Darwin "the scientist" has been influential on Australia, the legacy of Australia on Darwin "the man" was also influential in shaping his thoughts, theories and ideas', Mr Morton said.
The exhibition takes the visitor on a grand tour of Darwin's life, his family heritage, his five year voyage on HMS Beagle, his research and decision to publish 'The Origin of Species'. The exhibition will explore Darwin's time in Australia and includes live orchids, a plant that was to intrigue Darwin in his later years, and a live iguana.
The National Museum of Australia gratefully acknowledges the support of Arts Exhibitions Australia, the National Zoo and Aquarium, the National Botanical Gardens the CSIRO and ACT Orchid Society.
Admission charges apply: $10 per adult, $4 per child, $8 per concession and $22 per family.
Darwin is on display at the National Museum of Australia from December 10, 2008 to March 29, 2009. For more information about the exhibition visit www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions
For interviews, images and more information please contact Dennis Grant on 02 6208 5351, 0409 916 481; Caroline Vero on 02 6208 5338, 0438 620 710 or media@nma.gov.au