he Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition, a landmark exhibition devoted to one of the greatest tales of survival in expedition history, is on view through October 11, 1999, at the American Museum of Natural History. The exhibition brings to life the epic story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 Endurance expedition: its astonishing panoramas, doomed ship, extreme hardships, and miraculous climax. Haunting expedition photographs, artifacts, diary entries, and vintage film footage resurrect one of the most awesome man-against-nature sagas to emerge in this century.

The exhibition presents more than 150 compelling photographs of the expedition’s ordeal, taken by ship photographer Frank Hurley, who dove into frigid waters to retrieve his glass-plate negatives from the sinking Endurance. The photographs, printed from the original negatives and Hurley’s album of prints, are displayed chronologically and accompanied by gripping memoirs from the voyage. The visual record is complemented by incredible film footage, rare color images, and artifacts from the journey, including diaries, Bibles, personal effects, and the James Caird, the lifeboat that carried Shackleton and five of his crew on one of the greatest adventures of all time. The exhibition also features three-dimensional models and multi-media displays, and a computer interactive that allows visitors to experience the challenges of open-boat navigation. Several videos, narrated by actor Liam Neeson, examine the historic, geographic, and scientific aspects of the voyage.

The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition is the most comprehensive presentation of the journey ever mounted. It is also the most extensive showing of Hurley’s work. Only limited numbers of his photographs have been on view before: twice in London since the 1920s and once in Australia in 1963.

“As we approach the millennium, the heroism of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the moving tale of his incredible voyage are being recognized as never before,” said Ellen V. Futter, president of the American Museum of Natural History. “As an institution that has sponsored thousands of expeditions since 1887, including one to South Georgia Island two years before Shackleton’s Endurance expedition, the American Museum of Natural History identifies with his passion for discovery. Just as the Endurance expedition set out to study and understand the mysteries of Antarctica, we too journey to the far reaches of the globe, conducting vital scientific research to satisfy humanity’s curiosity about the natural world around us, and fulfilling the Museum’s mission to educate the public with our findings. We are honored to bring to the public the most extensive presentation ever of this epic voyage and display of human courage.”

The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition is organized by Caroline Alexander, guest curator, and Ross D.E. MacPhee, chair and curator, Department of Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History. Dr. Alexander noted, “Shackleton’s saga is more than a great adventure story; it has many lessons to teach us about character and human potential.”

P u b l i c a t i o n :

The exhibition is accompanied by a book, The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition, by Caroline Alexander. The national best seller—214 pages, with more than 140 photographs—is published by Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New York, in association with the American Museum of Natural History. The book is available at the Museum Shop and in bookstores nationwide for $29.95.

H o u r s :

Sunday-Thursday: 10:00am to 5:45pm
Friday and Saturday: 10:00am to 8:45pm
The Museum is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Days

A d m i s s i o n :

Tickets for this special exhibition, which include Museum admission are $13.00 for adults, $9.00 for students and senior citizens, $7.00 for children.

P u b l i c   I n f o r m a t i o n :

For additional information, the public may call 212.769.5100. For ticket reservations, the public may call 212.769.5200. On the Internet at www.amnh.org.