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Construction of the diorama

Working on the Milwaukee Public Museum's Silurian reef diorama.
Working on the Milwaukee Public Museum's Silurian reef diorama.
Construction of the Silurian reef diorama was an interactive process involving Museum scientists, exhibit specialists, artists, and carpenters. Planning for the diorama began in 1977, construction began in 1981, and the diorama opened to the public in 1983. Initial stage of construction, showing background painting, carpentry that supports the reef topography, and placement of large coral models. Thousands of wax models of reef organisms were made by Terry Chase Studios. The models are detailed reconstructions based on fossil specimens, with soft parts interpreted from living relatives. Colors used for the models are speculative. Background painting is now complete, carpentry has been covered, and most of the wax models are in place. Large cephalopod models are in place and exhibit specialists install the final wax models.

Photo Gallery

Corals once flourished where Chicago now stands. Large reefs existed here in the mid-Silurian time, 430 million years ago. Paleozoic Era, Silurian Period. 9' x 11' mural painted by Charles R. Knight .
© The Field Museum - CC BY-NC
Working on the Milwaukee Public Museum's Silurian reef diorama.
© The Field Museum - CC BY-NC
The Field Museum's new Silurian (419 - 444 million years ago) Reef diorama. Showing what fossil invertebrate sea life looked like in Chicago 430 millin years ago. Locate in the Life Over Time exhibit.
© The Field Museum
Mid Silurian sea life diorama 430 million years ago on the site of Chicago. Models of coral, cystoid, cephalopod, brachiopod, clam, snail and trilobite, Hall 37. Fossil invertebrates.
© The Field Museum
Working on the Milwaukee Public Museum's Silurian reef diorama.
© The Field Museum - CC BY-NC