Founded in 1869,  Manhattan’s  American Museum of Natural History is considered to be one of the most preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions in the world.

And of this institution’s 45 permanent exhibition halls including the Rose Center for Earth and the Hayden Planetarium, which of its iconic possessions is one of  the most popular? The 94 foot long and 21,000 pound fiberglass model of a blue whale that hangs in the now ten year-old Milstein Hall of Life.

Well now it’s being visited by friends from Down Under. Last Wednesday, I was very happy to be invited by the museum to attend the media preview of its newest exhibition,Whales: Giants of the Deep. On tour from the Museum of New Zealand’s  Te Papa Tongarewa, this comprehensive and interactive show involves multiple aspects of this amazing mammal which, through out the centuries, has captured our imagination in so many ways.

After a special Maori blessing, various members of the press including NY1 and Discovery were invited to walk through the exhibit. This entertaining show covers the evolution of whales including that of its 45 million year old cousin, Andrewsarchus mongoliensis which, weighing at 1 ton, was the largest meat-eating land mammal that ever lived.

The biological aspects of this creature were also featured. We learn that there are more than 80 species of living whales including dolphins and porpoises that fall into two groups: the baleen and the toothed whales.  Many of these species were discovered only because a strayed member had been found.

We  also find out that one of the deepest voices of the animal world belongs to the blue whale. Its voice can be heard as far as 620 miles away.

The culture and artwork of the whale people of New Zealand were presented as well as the dangers that have befallen whales.

Great show.  Let us know if you’ve been fortunate enough to observe a whale through a whale watch or some other means.

Next: Behind-the-Scenes at the American Museum of Natural History