Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human?
John Anthony Gurche, Reconstructed Faces. Karen Carr Studio, Landscape Illustration.
This Smithsonian traveling exhibition encourages a public conversation that focuses on multiple perspectives of what it means to be human — one that embraces the ideas and beliefs of non-scientists and fosters greater appreciation of the complexity of the science of human evolution.
Exploring Human Origins will inspire people to contemplate their place in the natural world and reflect on how human ancestors such as Homo neanderthalensis, Homo heidelbergensis and Homo erectus evolved to adapt in a variety of climates over millions of years.
Through panels, interactive kiosks, hands-on displays and videos, the exhibit invites viewers of all ages to explore and learn about the milestones in the evolutionary journey of becoming human.
September 3 – November 15, 2024
The exhibition is located at William S. Morton Library, on our Richmond campus, at 3406 Chamberlayne Ave, Richmond, VA, 23227.
The exhibit is free and open to the public during the library’s operating hours.
Library Hours:
Monday: 9 AM – 6 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Thursday: 9 AM – 7 PM
Friday: 9 AM – 6 PM
Saturday: 9 AM – 1 PM
Sunday: Closed
The library is marked #4 on the campus map. Parking is available on the street, on Melrose Ave and Westwood Ave. Please leave the campus parking lots available for students and faculty.
In addition, scientists and other experts from the NMNH Human Origins Program will visit Richmond, VA in October to host events for the community, including a science program, educator workshop, community conversations and more. The following events are open to anyone and free to attend.
Monday, Oct 21: Science Lecture (6:00pm-7:30pm)
A member of Smithsonian’s team will discuss the latest research in human evolution and provide an overview of the exhibit’s themes and messages. The conversation will invite the audience to offer their own perspectives on the exhibit’s theme of what it means to be human. The talk explores how fossils, archeological finds, and genetic studies shed light on our connection with the natural world and the origins of sharing, caring, and innovation.
Tuesday, Oct 22: Clergy Tour & Conversation (11:00am-1:00pm)
A special event for religious leaders and prominent members of faith communities will explore the topic of human evolution. Following a tour of the exhibit by members of Smithsonian’s team, participants will be led in a discussion with their colleagues regarding questions the exhibit may raise for their communities. This event also introduces the clergy to the work of the Broader Social Impacts Committee and resources at the intersections of science, evolution, human origins, and religious faith.
Tuesday, Oct 22: Community Conversation (6:00pm-7:30pm)
In seeking to promote a respectful national dialogue about human evolution, the exhibit tour invites conversations at the local level. One of the highlighted programs is an evening community conversation led by members of the Smithsonian staff. The discomfort felt by many people about evolution, particularly at the nexus of scientific and religious perspectives, has resulted in a lack of opportunities for the public to participate in conversations that encourage discussion of both the science of paleoanthropology and personal understandings of human origins. Our approach aims to address openly the variety of religious and cultural perspectives that intersect with scientific findings on human evolution, and to create room for discussions through civil and open dialogue that invites the public to voice their personal insights. In addition, we seek to explore with the public the idea that scientific and religious perspectives on human evolution need not inherently conflict, and that excitement about human origins research is not limited to scientists.
Wednesday, Oct 23: Seminary Community Conversation (4:30pm-6:00pm)
Thursday, Oct 24: Christian Educators Workshop (6:00pm-7:30pm)
This workshop offers a unique opportunity for Christian educators to consider how to engage science and religion topics in the congregational setting with special attention to addressing the possible significance of the sciences of human origins for religious considerations of what it means to be human. The workshop will be led by the Rev. Dr. Jim Miller, co-chair of the Broader Social Impacts Committee of the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program. Educators will be introduced to a wide variety of material and online resources related to religious considerations of evolution, generally, and human evolution, in particular.
William Smith Morton Library welcomes the public during all open hours, not just for the exhibit. To borrow materials and access additional resources, you can register for a membership card here.
For downloadable exhibit posters to share with your community, click here.
To access further research material relating to the exhibit, click here.
If you have any further questions about the exhibit, please email one or all of the following:
Dr. Chris Burton, Program Coordinator & Director of the Leadership Institute, at chris.burton@upsem.edu.
Anna Colangelo, Marketing & Relationship Strategist, at acolangelo@upsem.edu.
Dr. Robin McCall, Seminary Librarian & Assistant Professor of Bibliography and Research, at rmccall@upsem.edu.
Exploring Human Origins: Promoting a National Conversation on Human Evolution is administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s (NMNH) Human Origins Program.
