When I first toured Hatfield Marine Science Center’s Visitor Center earlier this summer, I saw an opportunity to create an exhibit about the Newport Hydrographic Line (NH Line), and decided to use this for my project as an Oregon Sea Grant summer scholar. Thanks to the help of many people, the NH Line exhibit is set to be completed by the end of August and will have a home near the existing NOAA Timeline display. The NH Line exhibit will build on the huge effort of Nancy Steinberg, who has documented the history of the NHL and created an interactive story map of the research conducted along the Line.
The exhibit will have two parts: an informational banner and an interactive touch table. The banner will go into detail about the research currently conducted along the NH Line, and how it benefits our understanding of broader patterns and changing ocean conditions. The interactive component will include a touch table that will have a map of the NH Line. By tapping a station, patrons will learn more about common organisms or processes that occur at that station, and the equipment used for sampling.
This is my first time curating an exhibit and, as with all new things, there is much excitement and anxiety. I hope to foster an appreciation for our beloved NH Line, capturing the enthusiasm of the NH Line Team and my own personal experience going out on the Line to sample. I’ll be providing updates on the exhibit from time to time on the Newportal Blog, so stay tuned!
