A Glorious Enterprise: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia and the Making of American Science
By Robert McCracken Peck and Patricia Tyson Stroud (University of Pennsylvania Press, 464 pages)
By Robert McCracken Peck and Patricia Tyson Stroud (University of Pennsylvania Press, 464 pages)
In case you didn’t know, the Academy of Natural Sciences is the oldest natural history museum in the Western Hemisphere. Marking the museum’s 200th birthday, A Glorious Enterprise is the first complete history of the institution. Filled with hundreds of archival images and the stunning work of acclaimed photographer Rosamond Purcell, the book also spotlights the pioneering work of academy scientists and profiles many of its illustrious associates. Visit upenn.edu/pennpress. —Emily Riley
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The Barnes Foundation’s Grand Reopening
After seemingly endless debate and legal drama, the late Albert C. Barnes’ renowned art collection is officially open to visitors at its new Benjamin Franklin Parkway digs on May 19. The following weekend, the Barnes will host a grand-opening extravaganza highlighted by 56 straight hours of free admission, loads of family-friendly activities, and evening dance and music performances. Advance reservations are recommended. Visit barnesfoundation.org. —Tara Behan
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Lunatic
Geron Hoy (geronhoy.com)
Geron Hoy isn’t nuts, even if the title of his second solo effort may proclaim as much. In fact, Hoy—who currently resides in Bryn Mawr—sounds like the sort of guy anyone would want in their corner: soulful, self-assured and riddled with the numerous and fascinating contradictions that come with being human. Lunatic bounds out of the gate restless yet fully formed, never quite embracing any one style—be it rock, folk, R&B or the singer/songwriter oeuvre it occupies largely by default. Most of all, Lunatic is just plain good. So we’ll leave it at that. —Hobart Rowland
