In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Nobel Prize-winning discovery by James D. Watson and Francis Crick of the structure of DNA, the Library and Archives of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, The Rockefeller Archive Center of The Rockefeller University, and the New York Public Library’s Science, Industry and Business Library have collaborated to present “Seeking the Secret of Life: The DNA Story in New York,” an exhibition which tells the story of the role played by individuals and organizations based in New York before, during, and after the 1953 discovery.
The project, initiated by Mila Pollock, Director, Library and Archives at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, was created by an Advisory Committee comprising of Pollock, Jan Witkowski, Director, Banbury Center at CSHL; Darwin Stapleton, Executive Director, Rockefeller Archive Center; and John V. Ganly, Assistant Director for Collections, The New York Public Library’s Science, Industry and Business Library, and their staffs.
“The entire Library and Archives staff at CSHL put forth a tremendous effort in achieving a successful exhibition,” Pollock said. “It truly was a team endeavor.”
Among the items contributed by CSHL is a 1953 offprint of Watson and Crick’s landmark Nature article; a photo of Watson and Crick with a large model they constructed of the DNA molecule; and a model of the Waring blender Al Hershey used to separate phage from DNA.
In addition, the Library and Archives staff worked tirelessly with The Rockefeller Archives staff to create the companion “DNA in NY” website, which has received more than 600 hits in its first two months by word-of-mouth alone.
“I am extremely pleased that not only scientists, scholars and historians who visit the Laboratory are now exposed to this valuable part of our extensive collection that continues to grow, but all New Yorkers can now be aware of our unique archives through the exhibit at the NYPL as well as attract visitors of the exhibition worldwide through the webpage,” Pollock said.
“Seeking the Secret of Life” is on view through August 29, 2003 in Healy Hall at The New York Public Library Science, Industry and Business Library, 188 Madison Avenue at 34th Street. Exhibition hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday, Monday, and national holidays. Admission is free and the public is invited. For additional information, please call 212-592-7000. It is part of a year-long “DNA at 50” celebration. Exhibits, meetings and other special events are planned throughout 2003 in New York and around the world. For more information, visit www.dna50.com.
Written by: Communications Department | publicaffairs@cshl.edu | 516-367-8455