2020 Year in Review
It’s hard to sum up 2020 in just a few words, as a year that’s brought suffering and struggle to so many. At the Field, we’re taking a moment to reflect on successes big and small, and to recognize the people who keep inspiring us: our incredible staff, many dedicated partners around the world, members and donors, museum visitors, and neighbors and community members here in Chicago.
Though our building was closed to the public for several months, work continued behind the scenes and outside the museum. Our conservation lab used its 3D printers to make face shields for organizations in Chicago. Collections managers continued caring for almost 40 million items. Our frontline staff has gone above and beyond to make the museum a clean, safe place for research to continue and visitors to return. It takes so many people, talents, and backgrounds to make the Field what it is.
Always learning about our planet
Examining the oldest material on Earth. Studying bats to understand coronaviruses. Make a gift of any amount to support scientific discoveries like the ones we made in 2020.
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Welcoming President and CEO Julian Siggers
In September, we were thrilled to welcome Julian Siggers, PhD, as the Field’s new President and CEO. Throughout his career, he has championed the importance of communicating science to the public in a way that’s engaging and accessible. Julian has led countless initiatives—exhibitions, publications, programming, and digital media—to transform museums into vibrant spaces for public education and discovery that belong to the whole community.
Welcoming dinosaur curator Jingmai O’Connor
In October, a new Associate Curator of Fossil Reptiles joined us. Jingmai O’Connor, PhD, is a world expert on flying dinosaurs and the transition of dinosaurs into birds. Jingmai focuses on birds from the Mesozoic, the time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. She’s eager to bring that expertise to our collection, particularly the 50-million-year-old bird fossils from Wyoming’s Green River Formation. We’re lucky to have the world’s largest collection of these perfectly preserved fossils—picture feathers!—that help continue to piece together the bird family tree. Hear Jingmai talk about her work on Meet a Scientist Online.
Remembering Lynika Strozier
We are deeply saddened by the loss of a beloved colleague. Lynika Strozier passed away on June 7, 2020, from COVID-19 complications. She first joined the Field as a summer intern in 2009 and continued to work in various roles at the museum, including as a researcher in our DNA Lab. In 2018, she completed two master’s degrees: an MEd in Science Education from the University of Illinois, Chicago, and an MS in Biology from Loyola University Chicago. Now, the Field Museum's Women's Board is raising funds for a named internship position in honor of Lynika's scientific contributions. She radiated a passion for science, research, teaching, and mentorship. We will miss her infectious smile, boundless energy, and incredible inspiration.
Apsáalooke Women and Warriors
Apsáalooke Women and Warriors opened this year, curated by Apsáalooke scholar Nina Sanders. She describes the significance of this exhibition:
“I am honored to lead the curation of Apsáalooke Women and Warriors with the assistance of other Apsáalooke scholars and artists, as it is the first time the Field Museum has invited a Native American to curate a major exhibition. . . . My hope is that the public will connect with us deeply and endeavor to learn more about all Indigenous people.
All Apsáalooke people are artists; each person is born with or acquires gifts that make life beautiful and meaningful. From birth, Apsáalooke people are taught to care for all things by utilizing our gifts. Each artwork in Apsáalooke Women and Warriors embodies the deep respect each artist has for the dedication, time, and love that goes into a work of art. Each piece is a celebration of our culture.”
Carl Cotton's legacy
In January, we opened a small exhibition that’s especially close to the Field Museum, A Natural Talent: The Taxidermy of Carl Cotton. Starting in 1947, Cotton worked here for over two decades, creating realistic animal figures and exhibits. Unlike most taxidermists then—and now—Cotton was African American. In February, our museum-wide celebration of Black History Month honored Carl Cotton and his family and friends who helped tell his story.
Exhibition developer Tori Lee says, “Thanks to a group of supportive people in and outside of the Museum, I’ve been able to sketch a portrait of a humble, talented man who was passionate about nature and the art of taxidermy. . . . As I kept digging, I found more and more of myself in Cotton’s story. Like me, he made exhibits on the fourth floor of the museum. Like me, he was a Black person working at an institution with a complicated racial history. When visitors see this exhibit, I hope they see themselves in Cotton’s passion and determination to follow his dreams.”
Bringing the Field to you
While the Field’s been closed to keep our staff and visitors safe, we know it’s especially important to keep sharing science and education. Through social media, online events, and free learning tools for school and home use, we’ve found other ways to continue sharing the latest science news—and some moments of joy, too.
Stay in the loop
Whether our building is open or closed, becoming a member means you’ll always have access to the Field through virtual collections tours, presentations from scientists, and more.
Understanding science and anthropology makes us better able to make good decisions for our planet, it makes us more welcoming to people who are different from us, and it’s just fun—no one should be left out from how amazing learning is.
Julian Siggers, Field Museum President and CEO
Strength in community
While we couldn’t welcome people to the museum for part of the year, staff across departments found ways to continue supporting the Field’s mission—a future rich in nature and culture—and strengthen partnerships across the city and around the world.
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Thanks for being a part of the Field Museum
While we still face challenges ahead, we’re grateful for all that you helped the Field achieve in 2020. Whether you followed us on social media for the first time or continue to be a lifelong member, you’re part of a larger community that supports science, learning, and a brighter future for all.
Your support matters now more than ever. A gift of any amount will keep the Field moving forward, together.
We felt so safe on our first return visit. The Field is really doing great taking necessary steps to keep everyone healthy. As members, we look forward to visiting often.
Kelsey M., Facebook
Further reading
Science news
- How learning about fish can help us save the Amazon rainforest
- New bat species discovered—cousins of the ones suspected in COVID-19
- When good governments go bad
- Meteorite contains the oldest material on Earth
- T. rex had huge growth spurts, but other dinos grew "slow and steady"
Programs and events
- Youth Conservation Action environmental programs
- Meet a Scientist Online
- Calendar of upcoming Field Museum events
Resources and articles
- Field Guides
- Learning Resources by topic and grade level
- Experience the Field at Home
- Finding Carl Cotton: "As soon as I saw his photo, I needed to find out who he was."
- Tomorrow's Leaders Start Here: The impact of youth programs at the Field
- Fearing Bats Won't Prevent the Next Coronavirus
