Courtesy Lance Grande/Field Musuem

FREE ticketed event

Over the centuries, natural history museums have evolved to become crucial generators of scientific knowledge and vibrant hubs where visitors explore their own questions. From the very start, curators have been the heart of it all.

We invite you to attend a conversation with Lance Grande, award-winning author and Negaunee Distinguished Service Curator of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, where he has spent more than 30 years as a research scientist. In his new book, Curators: Behind the Scenes of Natural History Museums, Grande steps back to describe the inner workings of natural history museums, their scientists, and their ever-expanding roles in the 21^st century.

Grande will present topics from his new book—from experiences in the field to controversial issues such as legal the battle over the Field Museum’s iconic T. rex skeleton named SUE. Later, in a conversation with Kirk Johnson, Sant Director at the National Museum of Natural History, Grande will explore the excitement of scientific discovery and the passion of curators as they pursue wide-ranging research interests in caves, oceans, rain forests, and other locations around the world.

To see the wide-ranging work of our curators, visit the Objects of Wonder exhibition on the second floor of the National Museum of Natural History. Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

Accessibility Information

The National Museum of Natural History is committed to providing inclusive experiences for all audiences. Please contact 202-633-3611 or email NMNHAccessibility@si.edu for access services. To view and print a map with accessible entrances, curb cuts, designated parking, and more for Smithsonian facilities on the National Mall, please download the Accessibility Map here. 

The Q?rius Theater contains an induction loop.

Assisted listening devices are also available in the Q?rius Theater.

If you would like to have a sign language interpreter or real-time captioning (CART), you should call (202) 633-3611 or send an e-mail to NMNHAccessibility@si.edu. Please allow time to schedule the request by contacting the Accessbility Office at least 2 weeks prior to the program. We will do our best to accomodate last-minute requests.