Seventeen Partnering Organizations Join to Offer a Behind-the-Scenes Perspective at the Penn Museum Wednesday, April 24, 5:00 to 8:00

pm PHILADELPHIA, PAPhiladelphia is a city of extraordinary history and artwhere, fortunately, the science of conservation is alive and well. Philadelphians have a rare opportunity to find out some of the many ways the citys rich cultural heritage is preservedand learn some conservation techniques suitable for home treasures at a unique new collaborative public program that is a Philadelphia Science Festival Signature Event. LONG LIVE OUR TREASURES: The Science of Conservation and Preservation puts the spotlight on the usually behind-the-scenes activities of professional conservators. Hands-on demonstrations, ongoing exhibitions, and short talks are parts of an eye-opening evening with 17 partnering organizationson Wednesday, April 24, 5:00 to 8:00 pm throughout the China and Egypt (Sphinx) Galleries of the Penn Museum. Tickets are just $6 from the Philadelphia Science Festival website in advance; $12 at the door. In fact, the Philadelphia Science Festival (April 1928), National Preservation Week (April 2127),With Art Philadelphia, and the University of Pennsylvanias "Year of Proof" have all converged to inspire this spectacular, behind-the-scenes collaborative event. Experts lecture or demonstrate on everything from mummy conservation to paper-cleaning, from film restoration techniques to salt removal from pottery, and the conservation of everything from old battleships to plant specimens, from Old Master paintings to family heirlooms. Guests have hands-on opportunities to make an herbarium sheet to take home, work like John James Audubon to create wire armature birds, or remove damaging salts from materials. Guests also have the opportunity to meet and chat with experts from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the Art Conservators Alliance, the Barnes Foundation, Bartrams Garden, City Archives, the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts, the Center for Home Videos, the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust, the Franklin Institute, the Free Library of Philadelphia, Independence Seaport Museum, the John James Audubon Center, La Salle University Art Museum, the Mtter Museum, the Penn Museum, the University of Delaware, and the University of Pennsylvania. Two conservation-focused exhibitions at the Penn Museum are open during the event: In the Artifact Lab: Conserving Egyptian Mummies, featuring a conservator at work on a range of ancient artifacts from the Museums Egyptian collection, and Unearthing a Masterpiece: A Roman Mosaic from Lod, Israel, detailing the discovery, and conservation process, undertaken to travel a 1,700year-old mosaic around two continents. Conservators and educators work with primary sources, tangible proof of our rich human history. In recognition of the role that conservation plays in preserving evidence for the

future, LONG LIVE OUR TREASURES is made possible, in part, by a generous grant from the University of Pennsylvanias "Year of Proof." The Museum's Pepper Mill Caf stays open until 7:30 pm, offering guests a $5 special "Conservation Cocktail," as well as wines, beers, and a selection of soups and sandwiches. About the Philadelphia Science Festival One of the first celebrations of its kind in the country, the Philadelphia Science Festival is a 10-day celebration of science and technology in everyday placesparks, restaurants, bars, libraries and museums. It asks Philadelphians to question the world around them and aims to inspire not only the next generation of scientists and engineers, but also create homegrown citizen scientists. More than 105 partners are working together to produce the Festival, which runs April 1828. The Festival is presented by The Dow Chemical Company and organized by The Franklin Institute. To learn more, visit PhilaScienceFestival.org or call 215.448.1128. About With Art Philadelphia The With Art Philadelphia collaborative celebrates Philadelphia's first class art, and art destinations. The With Art Philadelphia website makes it easy to create an individualized art itinerary, peruse blockbuster event and exhibit listings, find Philadelphia hotel accommodations and more. Penn Museum (the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology), celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2012, is dedicated to the study and understanding of human history and diversity. Founded in 1887, the Museum has sent more than 400 archaeological and anthropological expeditions to all the inhabited continents of the world. With an active exhibition schedule and educational programming for children and adults, the Museum offers the public an opportunity to share in the ongoing discovery of humankind's collective heritage. Penn Museum is located at 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (on Penn's campus, across from Franklin Field). Public transportation to the Museum is available via SEPTA's Regional Rail Line at University City Station; the Market-Frankford Subway Line at 34th Street Station; trolley routes 11, 13, 34, and 36; and bus routes 21, 30, 40, and 42. Museum hours are Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Wednesday, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, with P.M. @ PENN MUSEUM evening programs offered select Wednesdays. Closed Mondays and holidays. Admission donation is $12 for adults; $10 for senior citizens (65 and above); $10 for U.S. Military; $8 for children (6 to 17) and full-time students with ID; free to Members, PennCard holders, and children 5 and younger; "paywhat-you-want" the last hour before closing. Hot and cold meals and light refreshments are offered to visitors with or without Museum admission in The Pepper Mill Caf; the Museum Shop and Pyramid Shop for Children offer a wide selection of gifts, books, games, clothing and jewelry. Penn Museum can be found on the web at www.penn.museum. For general information call 215.898.4000. For group tour information call 215.746.8183.