Natural History museum gift shop reopens after renovation

LAWRENCE -- Natural Selections, the gift shop of the University of Kansas Natural History Museum, reopens this weekend after completion of a project to modernize the space and improve safety. A 20-percent-off sale will mark the reopening Dec. 20 and 21.

The gift shop had not been renovated since it opened in the 1970s. A project to improve compliance with fire codes by installing a second exit and sprinklers provided the opportunity to update the appearance of the space and install new merchandising fixtures. The project also combined the museum's front desk, where visitors get information about the museum's galleries and educational programs, with the shop.

Natural Selections carries a variety of science toys, games, decorative objects and books, including the new book Dyche Hall: The University of Kansas Natural History Museum 1903-2003. The book, by local authors Carol Shankel and Barbara Watkins and published by the Historic Mount Oread Fund, traces the building's history and tells the story of the scientific work carried out there.

Natural Selections is open during the museum's normal gallery hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The galleries and shop will be closed Dec. 24, 25, and 26 and Jan. 1.