Description
This compelling exhibition tells the story of one of California’s most beloved and feared animals – the grizzly bear. The relationship that Californians have had with the grizzly bear over the centuries is one of dualities, expressed in fear and fascination. Now extinct in the state, the grizzly has been a central character in California’s history.
The exhibit shows how the grizzly was:
- Seen as the embodiment of California’s “untamed” wilderness
- Used as a symbol of freedom and power by the Bear Flag Rebellion and later the state itself (that’s a grizzly on the state flag)
- Driven to extinction as California was settled
- Used in advertising and propaganda to sell products and ideas
The exhibition also presents scientifically accurate information about grizzly bear biology, dispelling some of the myths about this top predator. It includes special sections for children and interactive elements to engage visitors of all ages.
Bear in Mind is based on the Heyday Book publication Bear in Mind: The California Grizzly by Susan Snyder, and the Bancroft Library exhibition of the same name.
Specs
- Audience:
- General, School Groups, Family
- Rental Fee:
- $3,500 + shipping for an 8-week booking
- Size:
- 1,500 – 2,000 square feet
- Shipping:
- 4 crates via van line
- Security:
- Moderate
- Installation Images:
- View Here
Exhibit Components:
- Over 30 text and image panels
- Panels designed for children
- Introductory film
- Hands-on interactives
- Engaging grizzly bear artifacts
- Exhibition press kit with digital images
- Interpretive materials: Gallery Guides, Docent Guide, Teacher Guide
Schedule and Availability
Past Dates | |
February 24, 2008 – June 29,2008 | Riverside Metropolitan Museum, Riverside |
July 13, 2008 – September 7, 2008 | Hi-Desert Museum, Yucca Valley |
September 21, 2008 – January 11, 2009 | San Joaquin County Historical Museum, Lodi |
February 8, 2009 – March 29, 2009 | Merced County Courthouse Museum, Merced |
April 16, 2009 – June 7, 2009 | Tulare Historical Museum, Tulare |
June 21, 2009 – August 16, 2009 | Community Memorial Museum, Yuba City |
August 30, 2009 – January 3, 2010 | Hayward Area Historical Society, Hayward |
January 17, 2010 – May 23, 2010 | Museum of History and Art, Ontario |
June 6, 2010 – October 10, 2010 | Old Courthouse Museum, Santa Ana |
October 24, 2010 – February 27, 2011 | Museums of Los Gatos, Los Gatos |
March 13, 2011 – May 8, 2011 | Museum of the San Ramon Valley, Danville |
May 22, 2011 – July 17, 2011 | Museum on Main, Pleasanton |
July 31, 2011 – September 25, 2011 | Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, Vallejo |
October 9, 2011 – February 12, 2012 | Grace Hudson Museum, Ukiah |
June 18, 2012 – August 10, 2012 | Gateway Science Museum, Chico |
October 1, 2012 – April 14, 2013 | Los Altos History Museum, Los Altos |
May 15, 2013 – December 22, 2013 | History San Jose, San Jose |
January 25, 2014 – May 11, 2014
| Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, Santa Barbara |
May 24, 2014 – July 17, 2014 | Temecula Valley Museum, Temecula |
April 15, 2015 – September 16, 2015 | Muzeo Museum, Anaheim |
February 14, 2016 – June 19, 2016 | The California Museum, Sacramento |
September 11, 2016 – November 20, 2016 | Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum, Mt. Shasta |
October 1, 2017 – November 26, 2017 | Milpitas Library, Milpitas |
January 21, 2018 – April 1, 2018 | Museums of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa |
May 27, 2018 – September 30, 2018 (18 weeks)
| La Quinta Museum, La Quinta |
February 3, 2019 – March 31, 2019
| Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton |
September 29, 2019 – November 24, 2019 | San Bernardino County Museum, Redlands |
December 8, 2019 – February 16, 2020 | California Indian Museum and Cultural Center, Santa Rosa |
November 21, 2021 – January 16, 2022 | Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, Morro Bay State Park, Morro Bay |
May 29, 2022 – July 31, 2022 | Mendocino County Museum, Willits, CA |
January 5, 2025 – August 31, 2025 (34 weeks) | Gateway Science Museum, Chico |
November 2, 2025 – December 28, 2025 | AVAILABLE |
January 18, 2026 – March 15, 2026 | AVAILABLE |
April 5, 2026 – May 31, 2026 | AVAILABLE |
June 21, 2026 – August 16, 2026 | AVAILABLE |
September 6, 2026 – November 1, 2026 | AVAILABLE |
November 22, 2026 – January 17, 2027 | AVAILABLE |
February 7, 2027 – April 4, 2027 | AVAILABLE |
April 25, 2027 – June 20, 2027 | AVAILABLE |
July 11, 2027 – September 5, 2027 | AVAILABLE |
September 26, 2027 – November 21, 2027 | AVAILABLE |
December 12, 2027 – February 6, 2028 | AVAILABLE |
This show will travel beyond 2027! Contact us to discuss booking dates for 2028+.