The U-M Museum of Natural History (UMMNH) is planning an innovative new exhibit that honors our rich history while looking toward a sustainable future.
The exhibit, located in our “marquee” window visible from Washtenaw Avenue, will pay homage to the beloved Cretaceous Period diorama designed by the renowned George Marchand which was once installed in the Ruthven building. Marchand’s dioramas are masterpieces of scientific and artistic storytelling found in museums across the country, creating immersive educational experiences that have inspired generations.

We are scaling up and reimagining Marchand’s work as an artistic embodiment of our commitment to sustainability. In collaboration with LSA Sustainability, we’re constructing the new exhibit from repurposed materials, including carpet tiles, ceiling tiles, and hand sanitizer stands—items that would have otherwise ended up in landfills.

The exhibit will also feature interpretive signage that explains the sustainable use of materials, providing educational context and encouraging visitors to think critically about waste and resource management. Thanks to its high-profile location, this diorama will inspire and inform the U-M campus and our local communities as a unique triumph of art, science, and sustainability.
Join us now by making your donation to honor the past, enrich the present, and imagine a more sustainable future.

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