Join Natural History Curator Matthew Gibson as he discusses a current exhibit at the Museum, Skeletons in the Closet: Exploring Skeletal Anatomy, which presents the massive collection of animal skeletons collected and prepared by former director Gabriel E. Manigualt. Gabriel E. Manigault became curator of The Charleston Museum in 1873 while it was still a part of the College of Charleston. Before and during his time as Curator of the Museum, he collected and mounted skeletons of animals from all over the globe.

In the various biological fields, such as zoology or paleontology, scientists look for similar characteristics in an animal’s body shape, or morphology, to better understand the relationships between different animal groups. As technology has progressed, scientists are now able to integrate genetic information into their studies, yet developmental changes seen in bones are still an excellent way to understand the relationships between the different regions of the animal kingdom.

With the numerous specimens collected by Gabriel E. Manigault, this exhibit explores the similar bone structures shared between different fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Conversations with a Curator allows visitors a chance to have an intimate look at an exhibit in The Charleston Museum, hear stories, ask questions and spark conversations. The Museum’s collections are both extraordinary and diverse and each Curator-led talk and tour will allow participants to immerse themselves in different areas of Charleston’s history.

All Conversations with a Curator programs are open to the public and FREE for Members and free with admission.

Conversations with a Curator programs are typically held on the second Friday of each month, with a few exemptions.

Date/Time

10/14/2016, 10:30 am - 11:45 am

Location

The Charleston Museum
360 Meeting Street
Charleston, South Carolina 29403