Gold Diggers at the American Museum of Natural History

"Throughout human history, gold has been synonymous with wealth, beauty, and status," said Ellen v. Futter, President of the American Museum of Natural History. "Because of its allure, rarity, and natural properties, gold has been valued, hoarded, and fashioned into objects of great artistry and cultural significance."

According to estimates the total amount of gold that has ever been refined throughout history could be placed in a cube measuring 65.5 feet on a side. Approximately 78 percent of all gold supply is used to make jewelry, 12 percent is utilized by other industries such as electronics, medical, and dental while financial transactions involve only 10 percent of the gold supply.

From now through August 19, 2007, visitors to New York City can explore the historical fascination people have had throughout the centuries with this cherished metal at the American Museum of Natural History. Over 700 geological specimens and cultural objects from around the world or on display that illuminate the intriguing scientific and cultural golden story of this rare metal.

This exhibit is divided into six sections. Aurum Naturae (Latin for "natural gold") introduces visitors to mineralogy and geology and showcases gold specimens including the 2.2-pound Newmont gold mass. The mineralogical and geological characteristics of gold, the mining process and its technological applications are explored in the Unique Properties section. Here visitors can walk through a 12-foot-by-8-foot gilded room lined with just three ounces of gold and see how gold is used in electronics, medicine and dentistry.

The Golden Age section highlights some of the decorative uses of art from ancient times to the modern age, while the Gold Achievement section showcases contemporary symbols of success such as an Oscar® statute, a Grammy® award and two David Di Donatello Awards, Italy's preeminent film prize. In Lost and Found, visitors can discover a treasure trove of gold bars, jewelry, coins and other gold objects recovered from American and Spanish shipwrecks. Financial buffs can examine how individual countries base their economies in the Gold Standard section. At the end of this exhibition, visitors can step on a scale that will determine the value of their own weight in gold.

Prospectors, who want to keep searching for gold, can check out the Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems and the Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals. This exhibit features 23 superb native gold specimens from California and memorabilia of California gold-mining history, as well as maps and tables that help tell the story of the Gold Rush. Although the Gold Rush ended long ago, all but two of the gold specimens on display here were recovered from California within the past thirty years.
At the end of their explorations, visitors can grab some grub at the Gold Nugget Café. The hearty fare inspired by mining camp recipes feature such fare as buffalo chili, Alaskan seafood and Yukon potato cakes, and golden creamy California harvest corn chowder.

Hours
The Museum is open daily from 10:00am to 5:45pm. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Admission
Admission to Gold is by ticketed timed entry only. Tickets, which included suggested Museum general admission, are $21.00 for adults $16.00 for students (with ID) and seniors and $12.00 for children ages 2-12. Tickets can be reserved in advance by calling 212-769-5200 or visiting www.amnh.org.