Nature reigns at Wonders of Wildlife grand opening

The much anticipated grand opening of Springfield's $52 million Wonders of Wildlife American National Fish and Wildlife Museum occurred on time and without a hitch Nov. 2. The first paying visitors toured the new museum following the ribbon-cutting ceremony held in the museum's two-story entrance, shown at left.

Gov. Bob Holden, standing at the podium, was one of several dignitaries who addressed the audience in the packed entryway. Holden told the crowd the museum "will inspire, enchant and educate both children and adults for years to come and instill in them the connection between people and nature." He also applauded the works of Mayor Tom Carlson and the passion of Dr. John E. Moore, Drury University president and museum board chairman, and Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops owner, for their support in completing the facility.

Behind Holden on stage were, left to right, Morris, Carlson, Moore and museum director Fred Marty. Congressman Roy Blunt also spoke.

Miss Missouri, Springfield's Jennifer Hover, was in attendance with crown in tow, above. When Hover wasn't signing autographs for aspiring young girls and interested young boys, she took in the museum's entertaining and educational features.

At top is Tim Burroughs and the one-of-a-kind weather vanes he created especially for the museum. The outdoor ornaments now sit atop the building's roof. Above, Erik Scheidegger, a bird and mammal keeper, lets patrons get close to an American kestral, the smallest variety of falcon in the world. And at right, this wrought iron figure of a hunter overlooks the center

platform and carries out the museum's man and nature theme.