See and interact with the amazing structures built by local animals, including bird nests, spiderwebs and beaver lodges, at the Lake County Discovery Museum's newest original exhibition Animal Architects.
The exhibit, on display from September 26, 2009 to February 21, 2010 in Wauconda, Illinois, focuses on Lake County animals and the structures they build. Animal Architects is sponsored by the Daily Herald.
In the exhibition, learn why animals build, what structures they create and how they construct them. Explore the architecture of different types of animals, including mammals, birds, and invertebrates such as insects, spiders and crayfish.
Discover the world of mammal builders. Put on a beaver costume and crawl through a kid-sized beaver lodge to see how these impressive architects construct their homes. Also learn about muskrats, squirrels and woodchucks. Check out an animal burrow and learn about mammals that reuse structures built by other animals.
Then explore the world of birds. See nests from a variety of local birds, such as the robin, Baltimore oriole and vireo. Discover the many different materials that birds use to build their homes. Take a peek into a woodpecker hole, then dress up as a red-winged blackbird and try your hand at building a nest.
Finally, learn about the intricate structures constructed by invertebrates, including spiderwebs and wasp nests. Learn how some insects work together to build their complex homes. See live spiders, butterflies and ants at work. Then build your own spider web.
Museum educators will be providing a variety of public programs and in-gallery activities throughout the run of the exhibit that will allow visitors to learn more about Animal Architects. Call the museum at 847-968-3400 for additional information.
The entrance to the Lake County Discovery Museum is located on Route 176, just west of Fairfield Road and east of Wauconda in Lakewood Forest Preserve.
Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $2.50 for youth ages four to 17. Children three years and under are free. Seniors are $2.50 after 2 p.m. On Discount Tuesdays, admission is $3 for adults, and youth 17 years and under are free. Discount admission coupons are available. Admission is always free for museum members.
The Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda provides visitors with hands-on exhibits and educational programs. The nationally accredited museum also is home to the nation's largest collection of picture postcards. |
