Press Release
Fla. Museum photo exhibit on Indian medicine traditions opens Thursday
Dec. 9, 2008
Media contact:
Paul Ramey, APR
Assistant Director, Marketing and Public Relations
Florida Museum of Natural History
(352) 273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Morgan Lamborn
PHOTO AVAILABLE
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- Immerse yourself in the tradition of the Florida Creek Indians at the Florida Museum of Natural History's newest galleria exhibit, "Women's Medicine: Traditions of the Florida Creek Indians," Thursday through April 12, 2009.
The exhibit of 24 photographs from Margaret and Michael Bogan focuses on their search for the flowers, leaves and plants of traditional Creek Indian medicine. Visitors also will learn about the relationship between animals and plants in natural medicine.
"We often admire our native flora for its beauty," said Florida Museum exhibits director Darcie MacMahon. "But this exhibit adds a dimension to our appreciation -- the longstanding traditional uses of native plants for medicines."
The photographers hope the exhibit will increase awareness about the state's shrinking natural environments and spark interest in the native people, places and cultural heritage of Florida.
Margaret Bogan is an associate professor of science education at Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers. Michael Bogan is a research coordinator at the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research in Bartow. Both are members of the Pasco Band of Creek Indians in Lacoochee, an organization which strives to keep traditional cultural practices in living memory.
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The Florida Museum of Natural History is Florida's state natural history museum, dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage. It is located near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Butterfly Rainforest admission is $9.50 for adults ($8 Fla. residents) and $5 for children ages 3-12. Prices subject to change. For more information, including directions and parking, call (352) 846-2000, or visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu.