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TCU
shoots for state-of-the-art museum Construction is underway to build a state-of-the-art meteorite museum, which will display the meteorite collection of the late Oscar Monnig, said Ken Morgan, chairman of the geology department. Morgan said the 1,704-square-foot museum would not be possible without the $4.2 million gift from Monnig’s estate. “More than a year ago we decided that a museum would be a great use of Monnig’s very generous donation,” Morgan said. “The gallery will be displayed in three rooms facing the front lobby of Sid Richardson.” Arthur Ehlmann, professor emeritus of geology and a friend of Monnig, said the museum will display about 10 percent of the collection. “We have over 1,030 meteorites right now,” Ehlmann said. “We are only going to display the rare rocks and the ones we think have the most importance.” Morgan said Gallagher and Associates, the firm that helped design the display of meteorites in the Smithsonian, will be working on the museum at TCU. “We got this firm because we only want the best to design this museum,” he said. “Ehlmann, other members of the department and I will also oversee this gallery and give various ideas and opinions.” Morgan said this museum will be a great attraction for TCU and Fort Worth. “Science classes from other schools or people just visiting Fort Worth can come and visit this marvelous gallery,” he said. “This will also be a great display for our students and it can be incorporated into some classes.” Kevin McVey, a junior geology major, said he is very excited about the new museum. “I actually have learned details about meteorites in some of my classes and how they might have affected the evolution of life on earth,” McVey said. “The geology department does not get a lot of press with all of TCU’s new projects and this is a great way to attract people to come and see what we really have.” Ehlmann said that Monnig, who passed away in 1999, told him that this community had always been good to him and his family, and he wanted his collection to stay in Fort Worth. “He loved collecting meteorites,” he said. “He actually had a law degree from UT Austin, and this was just a hobby for him.” Ehlmann said he began collecting in the 1930s around west Texas just by going to farmers and ranchers and asking them if they had any heavy rocks. “He soon became known as the ‘meteorite man,’ and anyone who would find something they thought was one would call him,” he said. “You can’t put an exact price on these meteorites, but I believe they are priceless.” Morgan said the museum will have a number of attractions along with the meteorites. “The museum will also have videos and graphics from the Smithsonian,” he said. “There will also be a computer active media where you can build your own meteorites, and you can use them to destroy anything on Earth.” Raul
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TCU Daily Skiff © 2002 |
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