SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Cabinets of Curiosity: Herbarium Collection

Wed, Feb 5, 2025, 11am

Location
UMN Herbarium Collection
Biological Sciences Building, Room 875
Twin Cities campus in St. Paul
 

If you have ever pressed a flower, you know something of the pleasure and significance of keeping a record of these once living plants and their personal significance for you. Now imagine more than 950,000 specimen records that focus strongly on the Upper Midwest but with worldwide representation and special attention to areas where faculty have conducted research, most recently in Papua New Guinea. Tim Whitfeld, collections manager of the University of Minnesota Herbarium, will share his knowledge of that amazing collection and explain its critical importance in the 21st century. Botanists study these pressed plants, individually and collectively, to establish a history of plant life, often over centuries, because they contain compelling evidence of the ever modulating geographical distribution of plants and evidence of how climate, pests, and other factors have changed species over time.

The Herbarium Collection, officially part of the Bell Museum, is tucked away in an upper story of the Biological Sciences Building on the U of M Twin Cities campus in St. Paul, close to the students and faculty who use its specimens for teaching and research. For an example of its public impact, see https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/bell-museum-resident-artist-alicia-de-la-cruz/ . If you are curious about these historic and ongoing practices of collecting, preserving, and engaging with plant materials, including pine cones and seeds as well as leaves and flowers, plan to join us on February 5 at 11:00 am or 1pm.

All spaces are full, but Jan will have a wait list.  Contact her to if you wish to be notified of openings.  Note there will be a $10 charge upon registration. Space is limited, so we are having two tours, at 11 a.m. and at 1 p.m., with a group lunch between tours for those who are interested. Be sure to select your preferred tour time. The $10 donation to the Herbarium will be used to help support student work. Further instructions on timing, directions and parking will be sent to those signed up.

At noon those who are interested will convene for lunch.

Questions? Contact Sally Gregory Kohlstedt ([email protected]), Jan Morlock ([email protected]), or Cathy Lee Gierke ([email protected]).

Cancellations: Cancellations and refunds will be honored until Friday, Jan 31, 2025. 



Upcoming Events

Event Date: February 18, 2025, at 11am

Many life challenges that get in the way of quality of life and good health at home have little to do with medical issues. Cathy Lauring, our presenter for UMRA’s February 18 workshop, will explore a variety of resources to assist in keeping us healthy at home—including physical, emotional, cognitive, and financial services.


Event Date: February 21, 2025, at 2pm

John Bantle will lead the discussion of A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson when the UMRA book club meets via Zoom on February 21. 


Event Date: February 22, 2025, at 5pm

Join UMRA members to watch two of the best hockey teams in the nation. UMRA has negotiated a discounted ticket price of $33.


Event Date: February 25, 2025, at 11am

Barbara Klick, RN, MBA, the presenter for UMRA’s February 25 Forum, has decades of experience working in human and veterinary medicine, and will bring her wisdom and perspective to our discussion about what we can learn from our pets about facing end-of-life challenges and decisions.


Event Date: February 28, 2025, at 2pm

The Fourth Friday Book Club will meet via Zoom on February 28 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. CST to discuss The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.


Event Date: March 3, 2025, at 9:30am

Join members of the UMRA Hiking Club for a hike on March 3 at the Holland Lake Trailhead in Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan. It is the largest park in the Dakota County park system. Our route will take us on an unpaved trail with some roots, rocks, and easy hills. It will be about 5 miles for 2 to 2.5 hours. We will meet for an optional lunch afterwards somewhere nearby (TBD).


Event Date: March 5, 2025, at 10am

Will Craig discusses using local sources for family history.


Event Date: March 11, 2025, at 12:30pm

The THEME is Insects

The UMRA Photo Club will meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library, in the small shopping center at New Brighton and St. Anthony Boulevards.  

For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 a.m. 


Event Date: April 7, 2025, at 9:30am

The UMRA Hiking Club will explore wildlife along the Mississippi River in Fort Snelling State Park. The 3.9-mile Pike Island Loop is generally considered an easy route and takes just over an hour. Hikers can leave at that point, or stay to add another short loop. The trail is located below the bluff on which the historic fort sits.  The last time we were there we saw a lot of deer, and the river always provides fascinating views.


Event Date: April 8, 2025, at 12:30pm

The UMRA Photo Club will meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library, in the small shopping center at New Brighton and St. Anthony Boulevards. 

For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 a.m.

Theme to be announced.


Event Date: April 8, 2025, at 1pm

The University of Minnesota Archives, with its major holdings largely tucked away in two huge underground caverns along the Mississippi River under the West Bank campus, holds the essential records of our University of Minnesota’s past. University Archivist Erik Moore will interpret the holdings and bring out a sampling of what it holds. We will also get a tour of the caverns (Minnesota Library Access Center), revealing where these precious materials are housed, including the original tapes of KUOM, now Radio K.


Event Date: April 21, 2025, at 10am

You are cordially invited to see Rick Huebsch, Associate VP for Research, Technology Commercialization at UMN, who will discuss UMN Technology Commercialization. Tech Comm facilitates the transfer of UMN innovation beyond the research lab, to benefit the public good, foster economic growth, and generate revenue to support the University's mission.


Event Date: May 5, 2025, at 10am

Do you have a box or several albums of old family pictures that you are not quite sure what to do with? Or perhaps you just want to find out more about your ancestors and are not sure where or how to begin. This meeting of the Family history group will be an open discussion.