Central Park West at 79th Street
New York, New York
212-769-5100
Amnh.org
By Jane Feehan
I could not leave New York City without stopping by the American
Museum of Natural History, the queen of museums. It was like stepping back into history – my history. It was a frequent field
trip destination for my grade school in New Jersey.
Much appeared the same at this museum founded in
1869 (President Ulysses S. Grant laid the first stone in 1874), starting with the
gigantic prehistoric elephants stationed near the entrance of the first
exhibit. But there have been many additions. The Hayden Big Bang Theater presented a
nifty four-minute video projected on to a sunken, circular screen introducing
the Rose Center for Earth and Space and its examination of universe and earth
through time.
There’s so much to see here – and so many toddlers, and babies
in strollers. Why do parents drag young kids to these places? Children younger
than seven don’t appreciate - or understand - these exhibits.
I sought refuge from the parade of strollers in an exhibit
less traveled and paid an additional $6 to see Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture (amnh.org/our-global-kitchen). This was worth the trip – and the extra
money. It’s a terrific exhibit featuring: how food is grown around the globe; how
it’s traded and shipped (did you know 30 percent of the world’s food is
destroyed in transit?); how it’s cooked in different countries; and the central
place food takes in cultural celebrations. Tastings are provided by Whole Foods
Markets. There’s also an interesting
collection of international cook books, edible plants grown hydroponically,
spices, and a table movie showing chefs’ hands creating a variety of familiar
dishes (more boys at this table than girls).
Our Global Kitchen
also includes food in history: ancient irrigation systems, spices along Asia’s Silk
Road, and models of crops grown hundreds of years ago. Lastly, the exhibit
examines future food sources and the role some may play in eliminating world
hunger. Enough food can be grown to feed the world now, the museum claims, but
politics and natural disasters are among the causes that undermine the ability
to feed all. Food for thought …
General admission tickets to the museum run $19, special
exhibits additional. If traveling by subway take the B line during weekdays and
the C train on weekends. The 81st street subway exit features
wall/tile art apropos of the museum. There are several restaurants and gift
shops in the building as well as restaurants in the neighborhood.
Tags: NYC museums, food exhibits, food history, natural history, prehistoric food,natural history, things to do in New York City
