Cabinets of Curiosity: Goldstein Museum of Design
Tue, Nov 7 2023, 1pm
The material world we live in is shaped by design. While popular discussions of design typically focus on fashion and furniture, design is fundamental in art, architecture, and indeed nearly all aspects of the everyday world around us. Slowing down to observe, we find seemingly endless evidence of the innovativeness born in human imagination and collaboration.
The Goldstein Museum of Design, in the College of Design, had its origin in textiles collected by two world-traveling sisters, Harriet and Vetta Goldstein. Today it encompasses the original base of international fabrics but attends as well to material objects constructed of plastic and metals. With objects including Christian Dior fashions, Navajo rugs, and Wedgwood china, this museum has something to interest everyone. Researchers find rare and representative materials for their studies in history, art, and culture, while students are introduced to the possibilities of object-centered learning.
The event is free but registration is required. Event size is limited so register soon. See parking information.
On November 7, 2023, from 1 to 2:30 pm, the Cabinets of Curiosity series will take us to McNeal Hall on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in St. Paul, where curator Jean McElvain will demonstrate and discuss some of the Goldstein’s fascinating and often unexpected holdings before we walk through the current gallery exhibit. After the tour, those interested will convene for conversation and refreshments.
Can’t attend this time? Look for more Cabinets of Curiosity outings in the coming months, including a visit to the Department of Entomology insect collection and the Natural History Library on February 8.
Questions are welcome to Sally Gregory Kohlstedt ([email protected]), Jan Morlock ([email protected]), or Cathy Lee Gierke ([email protected]).
Upcoming Events
Please join us for an invigorating hike from The Monument located at the intersection of Mississippi RIver Blvd and Summit Avenue in St. Paul to Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis and back. This hike is on paved trails, approximately 5.5 miles in length, and will be at a pace suitable to the weather.
Knowing your family’s medical history is important, especially as we become more aware of the role played by genetics in many medical conditions. This presentation by UMRA member Michelle Casey will include suggestions for finding family death records—despite data challenges—based on Casey’s search for her own grandfather’s record.
Andy Whitman's Employee Benefits class will be holding an Oxford style debate on four different topics. During the debate a Board of Distinguished Professionals questions each Team, and finally comments on Team performance after the end of the debates.
Topics include tax changes; tax reducing moves required now and tax management in 2024.
It may seem like science fiction, but University of Minnesota researchers are exploring therapeutic interventions to treat aging and prevent age-related diseases. Laura Niedernhofer, MD, PhD, leads the Medical School’s Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, and will share her work on aging—and how to slow it down—for UMRA’s Living Well Workshop on Tuesday, January 16, via Zoom.
Pat Miles, former TV news anchor and journalist, lost her husband suddenly and found the financial and legal challenges to be overwhelming during her time of grief. She wrote a book about her experience, Before All Is Said and Done, incorporating wisdom from other unexpected widows, and will share her learnings for the first UMRA Forum of the New Year.
UMRA’s first Armchair Traveler program of 2024 will take us on travels close to home and to the edges of the earth with two fabulous presenters, Carol Urness and Kate Maple.
Join UMRA members at Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville for an afternoon of comradery, food, and entertainment. After an hour of mingling and nosh, the highlight of this mid-winter event will be an hour of song and music by Twin Cities musicians Dane Stauffer and Dan Chouinard.
Prepayment of $35 per person; or $38 after Jan 5
If you are curious about insects in their astonishing variety, plan to join the UMRA Cabinets of Curiosity to tour the Insect Collection and Natural History Library in Hodson Hall.