Museum Opens Exhibit on Molluscs

November 6th, 2019

For Immediate Release: November 6, 2019 (Albuquerque, New Mexico) -- New Mexicans now have the chance to experience the sea in a unique way, and learn about some New Mexican molluscs too. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science has a new collection of molluscs on display. The new permanent exhibit called Family Tides is an extensive collection that features close to 300 shells. Molluscs are a diverse group that features everything from giant squids to tiny snails, each with unique features. The shells vary in size, shape and color highlighting the diversification of molluscs. The exhibit also displays five major groups of molluscs, which are one of the most ancient and successful groups of animals. Visitors can learn about the differences between prehistoric, verses modern molluscs.

Many of the shells come from various locations from all around the world. Most of the shells on display are part of an extensive collection from the late Alfred J. Ostheimer III and his wife Jacquenette Ostheimer, who made the exhibit possible. The shells come from many of Mr. Ostheimer’s scientific expeditions to the South Pacific and West Indies.

The shell exhibit also includes shells from the collections of Ken Hueter and Tom Eichhorst. Hueter is a volunteer with the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science and Eichhorst is a retired air force pilot and editor of American Conchologist. Due to the generosity of these collectors the exotic shells can now be seen at the Museum.

Image: Courtesy of Jenica Morgan-Smith 

Media Contact: Andrea Jacquin, andrea.jacquin@state.nm.us 505-206-9144

About the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science: http://www.nmnaturalhistory.org.

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science is a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, under the leadership of the Board of Trustees of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. Programs and exhibits are generously supported by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation, through the generous support of donors.

Established in 1986, the mission of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science is to preserve and interpret the distinctive natural and scientific heritage of our state through extraordinary collections, research, exhibits, and programs designed to ignite a passion for lifelong learning. The NMMNHS offers exhibitions, programs and workshops in Geoscience, including Paleontology and Mineralogy, Bioscience and Space Science. It is the Southwest’s largest repository for fossils and includes a Planetarium and a large format 3D DynaTheater.

1801 Mountain Road NW, northeast of Historic Old Town Plaza, Albuquerque, NM 87104, (505) 841-2800.  Open seven days a week 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. , closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Events, news releases and images about activities at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science and other divisions of the Department of Cultural Affairs can be accessed at media.newmexicoculture.org.