News

Yakima Basin Water Resource Plan Discussion Planned for MCE Earth Day Activities

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:00:48

Central Washington University’s Museum of Culture and Environment will host a panel discussion about water issues in central Washington during its Earth Day celebration on April 20. The discussion will take place at 1:00 p.m., in Dean 106. Members of the panel include the Yakima Basin Plan Group; Dr. Dave Fast, Yakama Nation Fisheries; and CWU faculty, who will present a panel discussion about water issues, including the Yakima Basin Integrated Water Resource Plan.

In addition to the panel discussion, the MCE is hosting a full day of activities, from fun runs to Peruvian dancers, from 9:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For more information, e-mail museum@cwu.edu, call 509-963-2313 or visit the website at www.cwu.edu/museum.

Media Contact: Valerie Chapman-Stockwell, CWU Public Affairs, 509-963-1518, valeriec@cwu.edu
April 16, 2013

MCE Plans Family Friendly Earth Day Festival and 5/10K Salmon Run

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:54:21

Central Washington University’s Museum of Culture & Environment will celebrate Earth Day with music, dance performances, fun environmental education activities, and the “Salmon Run” a 5K/10K that celebrates the life cycle of the salmon. The event will take on Saturday April 20, from 9:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Dean Hall.

The day begins at 9:45 a.m. with the “Small Fry” race, which is free for children and includes a finisher’s prize. The “Salmon Run” begins at 10:00 a.m. Runners are encouraged to wear their favorite salmon-themed costume—the best costume wins a prize! Race shirts and medals are included, along with post-race snacks. Online pre-registration for the race is open until 4:00 p.m. on Friday at www.cwu.edu/museum/salmon-run. Participants may also register in person before the start of the race.

The Earth Day Festival begins at 11:00 a.m. with a belly-dancing performance from Troupe Rose. The Yakama Nation International Dancers begin at noon, followed by a performance at 1:15 p.m. from Peruvian dancers Tusuy Peru. Throughout the day, enjoy activities provided by CWU student organizations and local environmental education groups, including face painting by Allison Koch. Food will be sold by student organization to raise funds for educational opportunities.

On a more serious note, the Yakima Basin Plan Group; Dr. Dave Fast, Yakama Nation Fisheries; and CWU faculty will present a panel discussion about water issues in our community, including the Yakima Basin Integrated Water Resource Plan. The discussion will take place at1:00 p.m., in Dean 106

All events take place at the Museum of Culture and Environment, located in Dean Hall on the Central Washington University campus, 1200 N. D Street. For more information, e-mail museum@cwu.edu or call 509-963-2313, or go to the website www.cwu.edu/museum.

Media Contact: Valerie Chapman-Stockwell, CWU Public Affairs, 509-963-1518, valeriec@cwu.edu

Museum of Culture and Environment Hosts “A Better Night with Better Day” Evening Benefit

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:14:54

Join Central Washington University’s Museum of Culture and Environment (MCE) on April 4 for an evening of music, dancing, drinks, and food to enhance funding for national exhibits. The event features music by A Better Day, a silent auction, and a chance to view new exhibits.

"The fundraiser will help support a range of programs at the Museum, including our outreach to local school groups and our planned exhibitions on the Taylor Bridge Fire, the history of snowshoes, and the I-90 Snoqualmie wildlife passage project," said Mark Auslander, director of MCE and CWU professor of anthropology

“A Better Night with Better Day” will be held at the MCE, 6:30 p.m., April 4, Dean Hall Lobby. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Tickets may be purchased online at www.cwu.edu/theatre/tickets, by phone at 509-963-1429, or in person at the Welcome Center on University Way or at the Wildcat Shop Customer Service desk in the SURC.

For more information, go to www.cwu.edu/museum/better-night.

CWU Researcher finds slaves quarried sandstone used to build Smithsonian Castle

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:56:57

The iconic red sandstone used to build the Smithsonian Castle, one of Washington’s most recognizable buildings, was quarried by slaves, including some who were once most likely owned by Martha Washington, according to new historical research to be published Thursday.

The discovery by anthropology professor Mark Auslander adds to what has been a years-long reckoning with slavery’s role in Washington landmarks, including the Capitol and the White House, and adds nuance to the historical portrait of the Smithsonian Castle, which was built between 1847 and 1855.

Read the entire story at The Washington Post.

Museum hosts Hanford Story Circle

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:24:24

No matter your relationship to the Hanford Nuclear Site, it has become a fundamental part of shaping the identity of central Washington.

The Museum of Culture & Environment (MCE) at Central Washington University invites you to participate in the Hanford Story Circle, on December 1, from 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Share your stories, memories and ideas about Hanford and the nuclear age. This event is open to all, whether you have been directly impacted by Hanford or simply share an interest in its history. Refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.

This event is held in conjunction with the exhibition Particles on the Wall: Art, Poetry and Science about Hanford and is the closing event before it moves on to WSU Tri-Cities Art Exhibition Center, Richland, in March, 2013. The next MCE exhibit, Voices of the River: Life Along the Yakima, opens on January 4, 2013.

The Particles on the Wall exhibit at CWU is sponsored by the Museum of Culture and Environment, along with the project’s partners Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Institute of Neurotoxicology and Neurological Disorders.

The Museum of Culture & Environment is located on the CWU campus on the first floor of Dean Hall, 1200 N. D St. It is open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Parking at CWU is free after 4:30 p.m. and on weekends.

Museum closed the week of Thanksgiving

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:29:17

The Museum of Culture and Environment will be from closed Wednesday, November 21 through Saturday, November 24 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will re-open at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 28th.

Museum hosts workshop on teaching Hanford

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:13:12

Teaching Hanford Across the Curriculum

On Thursday, Nov. 1, at noon, in Dean Hall room 104, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility (WPSR) will provide a hands-on curriculum workshop for CWU faculty in order to encourage professors to incorporate the history and science of Hanford Nuclear Site into their coursework. Enjoy pizza and listen to curriculum opportunities that engage students in critical thinking about the impact of Hanford on human health and the environment.

This event is held in conjunction with the Museum of Culture & Environment's newest exhibit Particles on the Wall: Art, Science, and Poetry About Hanford. If you are interested in having a WPSR representative visit your classroom to present a customized presentation about Hanford, please contact Daniel@wpsr.org

For more information about this and other events at the MCE, you may call (509) 963-2313 or email museum@cwu.edu

Museum shows Arid Lands

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 09:19:24

Arid Lands: Film and discussion
Thursday, October 11, 2012 Dean Hall, room 104. 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Join the Museum of Culture and Environment for a showing of the award-winning 2007 documentary film, Arid Lands, which chronicles life along the Columbia River and the way the construction of Hanford impacted the land. This event is free and open to the public.

The film will be followed by a short discussion, bringing to the fore the ways Hanford continues to influence life in the Pacific Northwest.

This event is presented as part of the Museum of Culture and Environment's programming for the exhibit, Particles on the Wall: Art, poetry, and science at the Hanford nuclear site.

Museum opens for 2012-13 on September 19

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:44:01

The Museum of Culture and Environment will be open to all beginning 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 19. The Museum will feature a new exhibit, Particles on the Wall, which explores the Hanford Nuclear site through science, art, and poetry.

The Museum is open Wednesday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Parking is free on Saturdays. Admission to the museum is free to all. Donations accepted.

Museum Closing for Summer after June 15

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:22:30

The Museum of Culture and Environment will be closed for the summer after June 15, 2012. The Museum will re-open on September 19, 2012 with a new exhibit, Particles on the Wall, a traveling exhibit that brings together art, poetry, and science in an exploration of the Hanford nuclear site.

During the closure, visitors will still be able to view the mammoth bones in the Window on Cental located in the Dean Hall lobby, as well as the Central Goes to War exhibit on the fourth floor of Barge Hall.