Cryptozoology at the MOS: October 29, 2008

Gigantopithecus model from the “Beyond Bigfoot” portion of “Mythic Creatures”
Enormous apes are more than a myth. This extinct primate – a very distant relative of humans – lived in southeast Asia for more than a million years, until perhaps as recently as 100,000 years ago.
© D. Finnin/AMNH

In line with the traveling exhibition “Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids,” opening at the Museum of Science (MOS) in Boston on Sunday, October 26, 2008, I have been asked to speak, as I did at the American Museum of Natural History, where “Mythic Creatures” began, on “Cryptozoology.” My public talk will take place on October 29th.

But first, on Friday, October 24, 2008, I gave a short illustrated lecture to a special group of Innovators, Trustees, Staff, and Board Members who were previewing the exhibition. I was hosted wonderfully by MOS’s Jen O’Neill, sat with a friendly group from Salem State College before my talk, and got to meet those that privately wished to ask me questions after my talk.

The number one fan-of-the-night award goes to Austin Ickes, 11, a dynamically interested cryptozoologist-in-training who was there with his father. Who will be the big fan on this coming Wednesday? Austin had a conflict with the public illustrated lecture I will be giving on October 29. I was happy to see that this young lad was able to be there on Friday. Such passion is great, and I wish Austin and the other up-and-coming cryptozoologists much good days ahead in their research, readings, and pursuit of the field – and whatever “ology” he and they decide to make as their eventual careers. Cryptozoology is a wonderful gateway science to learn about the world and its animals.

Below is the MOS information on my hour-long talk for Wednesday, October 29, 2008, which I will be giving in a room that holds 300 people:

Could hair samples be used to verify the existence of Bigfoot? Are unexplained animal droppings evidence of a new species? Do footprints hold the key to unlocking the mystery of the yeti? World-renowned cryptozoologist Loren Coleman has spent decades researching the existence of fantastical creatures and interviewing witnesses who have sighted sea serpents, lake monsters, Sasquatch, thunderbirds, and other yet-to-be verified animals. Join us to explore the science behind these mythic beings. Book signing to follow.

Seating is limited. Seating passes are available to the general public in the Museum lobby beginning at 5:45 p.m. the evening of the program. First come, first served. Museum members may reserve a limited number of seating passes in advance. Availability is limited to the number of Exhibit Halls admissions permitted with your membership level. For member reservations, call between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday of the week of the program only: 617-589-3169.

This program is free thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute. Additional funding for adult programs provided by the Barbara and Malcolm L. Sherman Fund for Adult Programs and by the David and Marion Ellis Endowment Fund.

Please, note, therefore, that besides the first come, first serve tickets available the night of the event, you can reserve passes ahead of time by becoming a member of the Museum of Science. If you become a member, of course, there are many benefits, including getting into the museum free for exhibitions like this one all year long, in addition to lectures like mine.

I will not have other books there or any of my own for sale, so please purchase your books at the MOS shops before the lecture or bring your previously purchased copies for me to sign for you after my illustrated talk. I will, of course, sign programs, besides books.

Cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, August 2005, with his eight-ft tall model of Bigfoot at his Portland, Maine, home/museum. Photo by author Joseph Citro.

Loren Coleman About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct). Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015. Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.

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