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Good Morning All,

When dealing with the public at the Pink Palace Family of Museums (a
natural history and cultural history museum, an IMAX theater, a
planetarium, a nature center, two historic properties, and a fossil
research center) the staff is guided by the following memo, which is
sent to all staff annually (by e-mail).  Please see the verbatim text of
this memo below.........

 

BEGIN TEXT OF MEMO

Memorandum

 

To:                   Staff, Pink Palace Family of Museums

From:               Wesley Creel

Date:                Wednesday, May 01, 2002

Subject:            Evolution

 

1.      Purpose:

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the staff with the Pink
Palace Family of Museum's position on the subject of evolution.  Often
this subject is mentioned in exhibitions, IMAX films, planetarium shows,
public and school programs, and other public activities -- and often
serves as the intellectual basis for many of our programs.

 

2.      Background:

2.1 Mission:  The mission statement of the Pink Palace Family of Museums
is -- Through history, science and nature, the Pink Palace Family of
Museum provides high quality, entertaining and educational experiences
which seek to inspire life-long learning for all.  The mission guides
the Pink Palace Family of Museums (PPFM) in all programmatic activities.

2.2 Key Values:  The five Key Values of the Pink Palace Family of
Museums are:  Credibility; Creativity; Communication; Commitment; and
Customer Satisfaction.  Regarding the Key Value of Credibility -- it is
of the utmost importance that the content of those programmatic
activities and programs is consistent with currently acceptable
scientific thought.

2.3 Evolution:  Evolution is the most significant theory in modern
biology.  Charles Darwin's original theory of evolution was proposed in
his 1859 Origin of the Species.  Since then, his theory has been revised
and expanded on by many other scientists, and today over 140 years
later, the theory of evolution remains the principal idea to guide
modern scientists and it also provides a framework for museums to
exhibit and teach biology and its related fields.  It should also be
noted that the theoretical frameworks of modern physics, chemistry, and
geology all support the Darwinian theory of organic evolution. To reject
evolution is to reject the basis of all contemporary science.

 

3.      Scientific Creationism:  Why doesn't the museum or nature center
present the views of scientific creationism?  First, the published works
on the subject of scientific creationism have not appeared in any
reputable, scientific journal.  Secondly, the Pink Palace Family of
Museums is obligated by its Mission Statement and its key value of
Credibility to present the highest degree of accuracy in our
programming.  Thirdly, scientific creationism as currently taught, fits
in the realm of theology and religious thought -- rather than the realm
of scientific thought, which must be the basis for our public
programming.

 

4.      How do we explain our position to visitors:  First and foremost
we must respect the opinions of all of our visitors, and we must provide
them with a simple and straightforward response to their inquiries.
Therefore, when a visitor makes an inquiry related to Scientific
Creationism, the visitor should be given the opportunity to fill-out a
Customer Comment Card. A senior staff person (usually the Administrator
of Programs or the Director of Museums) will respond to these Cards with
a personal letter, expanding on the reasons given in this memo.

 

5.      I hope you will find this information useful.  Please don't
hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding these
guidelines.

 

END TEXT OF MEMO

 

Best Wishes,

Wesley

 

Wesley S. Creel

Administrator of Programs

Pink Palace Family of Museums

3050 Central Avenue

Memphis, TN 38111

U.S.A.

www.memphismuseums.org

Office telephone 901.320.6370

 

 

Wesley S. Creel

Administrator of Programs

Pink Palace Family of Museums

3050 Central Avenue

Memphis, TN 38111

U.S.A.

www.memphismuseums.org

Office telephone 901.320.6370

 


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