Much ado about MOSI

Friday, August 19, 2005

The exhibit is scheduled to be open through February.

The Museum of Science and Industry learned Wednesday afternoon that the Florida Anatomical Board voted against allowing "Bodies: the Exhibition" to be displayed.

However, later in the day the museum alerted the media that it was defying the board and would open the exhibit on Thursday morning, two days earlier than originally scheduled. The museum said the board did not have the legal authority to stop the exhibit.

Gary Hocevar, the principal at Terrace Community Charter School School, the middle school on MOSI's property, wasn't notified of the decision until 4:30 Thursday morning.

"Because of anticipation of news media, possible protests [because of this exhibit], we had to go into a modified lockdown," said Hocevar.

Viewer Center
	Click here for a poll about the exhibit issue.

However, when MOSI opened at 9 a.m., there was no loud crowd outside the door, anticipating or protesting the exhibit, just a modest, curious line of people.

After they paid admission, they were directed toward a sign informing them the exhibit's human specimens are real. Around the corner, visitors came face to face with the first of more than 200 bodies, skeletons and organs.

"It's something that can't get out of a book or off a video or a DVD," said museum visitor Connie Nourse.

The self-guided tour is a journey through the human body and its many systems. Several visitors gave the same answer when asked what part of the exhibit they'll remember most.

A curious group of people awaited the exhibit's opening.

"I thought the fetal development area was the most interesting," said one visitor.

"That was my reaction," said another visitor. "I was like this poor little life that didn't even make it. Probably the bigger ones that you can see, but even the smallest one you have in there, you can see his little fingers."

Children are allowed inside the exhibit.

"Bodies: the Exhibition" is scheduled to remain at MOSI through February. If you would like to attend the exhibit, tickets are available at MOSI's box office.

Click here to e-mail Chris Hawes, the TV reporter for this story.