450 Million Years in the Making

February 21, 2011

Lakeshore Museum Center's Dunkleosteus

  • <p>450 million years ago Michigan was under a shallow sea. The creatures that lived in the area during that period were of the type seen here.<br /> <br /> Almost all the animals shown in this diorama have roots in the museum`s fossil collection.<br /> <br /> Scenic by Martin Roznowski, LLC</p>
  • <p>A prime feature of the Shallow Sea gallery was a 6` long model of a Dunkleosteus, one of the fiercest predators of the ancient seas. Capable of reaching 30` in length, these bony fish were the great white sharks of their day.<br /> <br /> Fabrication and installation by Martin Roznowski, LLC</p>
  • <p>The Shallow Sea area is the first of three periods discussed in the exhibit.<br /> <br /> A central diorama holds models of the critters in the museum`s fossil collection. A timeline indicates the life that existed in this period with local flora and fauna highlighted. The star of the space is unarguably the giant Dunkleosteus produced by Marty Roznowski, LLC.<br /> <br /> Other details include floor patterns and wavelight projectors that give the entire space the feeling of being underwater.<br /> <br /> Fabrication by Design Craftsmen/Installation by LMC/Scenic by Marty Roznowski</p>
  • <p>Bold colors and curvilinear forms welcome visitors into the gallery which tells an old story in a new way.<br /> <br /> Fabrication by Design Craftsmen/Installation by LMC</p>
  • <p>In each era covered in the exhibit, a curving timeline highlights both plants and animals living in Michigan and beyond.<br /> <br /> Wall cases hold fossils from the museum`s collection. A counter below holds educational materials.<br /> <br /> Fabrication by Design Craftsmen and LMC / Installation by LMC</p>
  • <p>The second stage in Michigan`s fossil record is the coal forest era. Giant bugs and large amphibians shared space in these primitive forests—represented here.<br /> <br /> A scrim and mural create a sense of depth in the scene and Marty Roznowski`s creations provide a realistic portrayal of the period.<br /> <br /> Mural by The Mural Company / Scenic by Marty Roznowski, LLC</p>
  • <p>Fiber optics back-of-house before we gathered them all into nice neat bundles. One projector, (12) wall cases, (10) wall panels and (32) 3mm fibers.<br /> <br /> Fiber optic system by NoUVIR Research. Installation by John and Chris. (Designers with power tools.)</p>
  • <p>Entering the Ice Age, visitors pass through an ice cave formed by melt off from a glacier. Beyond, creatures from the post-ice age era can be found taking advantage of the warming climate.<br /> <br /> Scenic by Marty Roznowski, LLC</p>
  • <p>Bubble cases hold fossils from the museum`s collection. Educators can use the diorama to show students what the animals would have looked like in life.<br /> <br /> Fiber optics were used to light both the fossils in the case and the circular graphic panels.</p>
  • <p>As the glaciers retreated, they left vast tundras and eventually Spruce forests. Inhabitants included giant beavers and mastodons.<br /> <br /> Mural by The Mural Company / Scenic by Marty Roznowski, LLC</p>
  • <p>Chris Malczewski installs pieces from the Hulls mastodon fossil from the museum`s collection. Marty Roznowski created the formed holder for the fossils.</p>

Lakeshore Museum Center: Michigan Through the Depths of Time – Muskegon, Michigan

This small but exciting gallery takes visitors back through 450 million years of Michigan history with three detailed dioramas.

Good Design group teamed with the gallery’s conceptual designer—Chris Malczewski—to take the project through final design. With the tremendous efforts of the LMC’s staff and the scenic genius of Marty Roznowski, the team overcame the fabrication difficulties caused by the demise of Design Craftsmen. The gallery opened in March 2010 to rave reviews from visitors of all ages.

John worked with Chris to install all the fiber optic lighting and the Mastodon fossils.

Fabrication by Design Craftsmen and LMC/Scenic and installation by Marty Roznowski/Murals by The Mural Company

Filed under: Children's Museums,Natural History Musuems,Science Centers

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