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Bear in Mind: The Story of the California Grizzly

  • Description
  • Specs
  • Schedule

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
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
September 4, 2022 – October 30, 2022
AVAILABLE
November 20, 2022 – January 15, 2023
AVAILABLE
February 5, 2023 – April 2, 2023
AVAILABLE
April 23, 2023 – June 18, 2023
AVAILABLE
July 9, 2023 – September 3, 2023
AVAILABLE
September 24, 2023 – November 19, 2023
AVAILABLE
December 10, 2023 – February 4, 2024
AVAILABLE
February 25, 2024 – April 21, 2024
AVAILABLE
May 12, 2024 – July 7, 2024
AVAILABLE
July 28, 2024 – September 22, 2024
AVAILABLE
October 13, 2024 – December 8, 2024
AVAILABLE
December 29, 2024 – February 23, 2025
AVAILABLE
March 16, 2025 – May 11, 2025
AVAILABLE
June 1, 2025 – July 27, 2025
AVAILABLE
August 17, 2025 – October 12, 2025
AVAILABLE
November 2, 2025 – December 28, 2025
AVAILABLE

This show will travel beyond 2025! Contact us to discuss booking dates for 2026+.

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