El Campo Museum of Natural History
Facility offers new, exciting programs for children, adults
By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com
Since Cheri McGuirk took over as Museum Director in July 2004, she incorporated maps for each display so one could envision the country and habitat of that animal. She also added identifi- cation markers.

"All animals have a tag to tell you what you are looking at and general information about the mount," she said.

In recent years, an alligator, on loan from David Pratka, was included into the landscape of the Texas exhibit, as well as a coyote, a gift from J.J. Bubela.

Murals, such as the Rainforest and other jungle murals on the inside and outside of the museum were added.

The children's area has expanded to include an archeological dig, dinosaur table, space table, magnetic table and antlers and alligator feet to touch.

"So not everything in the museum is 'do not touch,'" she said.

Another hands-on learning center is the hermit crab display. This is sponsored by Ed and Ruth Sacco. Sometimes, McGuirk will transfer the critters to a children's table.

"We put them out on the table and let them go," she said. Barricades are also put up to prevent them from falling to the floor.

New last year was the butterfly habitat. She will soon be ordering larva for this exhibit.

"We have had one batch already hatch," she said.

One area of the museum will feature a space display, complete with the solar system and a moon phase mobile. Later in the year, this area will hopefully showcase some local quilters' work again.

A puppet theater for children is in the works. Kinnan and Susan Stockton are sponsoring this project, which will enable children to use their imagination as they present their own shows.

"We already have the puppets. And we're already performing and pretending," she said.

McGuirk offers monthly projects for children too. They can come in any day of the week during museum hours to complete it. In one month, she has about 40-50 children participating in a project.

But the museum isn't just for kids. McGuirk said lots of adults are interested in the murals and mounts.

Those mounts also require regular maintenance. Brian Kutach, a taxidermist, offers his services at a discounted rate. He inspects each mount and cleans them.

"We want to make sure they are all in good shape," McGuirk said.

The museum is hosting a 30th birthday party, Saturday, April 12, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. There will be birthday cake provided by First State Bank, food and punch and entertainment by Rainbow the clown.