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A Director Leaves a Lasting Impression
Ten years later, the Museum named Alfred M. Bailey its second professional director (pictured left). During his thirty-three year tenure, Bailey had a greater impact on the Museum than any other individual in its history. He spearheaded the transformation of our exhibits from simple cases illuminated by window light to electrically lit, curved, domed habitat dioramas. A trained naturalist, he believed that “fieldwork is the lifeblood of natural history museums,” so he led major expeditions to Australia, subantarctic Campbell Island, and the Galápagos Islands to fill dioramas in newly constructed halls. He sent staff all over the world—from Alaska to Africa—to collect specimens for new exhibits and to photograph and film wildlife. Of the Museum’s 100 dioramas, 59 were installed during the Bailey era.
Four new wings doubled the building’s size under Bailey. The first addition, in 1940, was the 950-seat Lawrence C. Phipps Auditorium. Other significant changes included a new name in 1948—the Denver Museum of Natural History, an acknowledgement of the city’s long-standing support. Bailey also oversaw numerous expansions in the Museum’s educational offerings, including our first planetarium (in 1955), television programs broadcast nationally (which he hosted), and a new Department of Education. By the time Bailey retired in 1969, the Museum was known worldwide for its fieldwork, education programs, and wildlife dioramas.
Introduction—100 Years Young
Chapter 1—A Museum is Born
Chapter 2—Placing the Museum on the Map
Chapter 4—Huge Boost to Anthropology Collections
Chapter 5—IMAX Comes to Denver
Chapter 6—New Programs Thanks to New Funds
Chapter 7—Launching the Space Science Initiative
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