Celebrate Peak Migration with a New York Times-Bestselling Author
CLEVELAND—April 18, 2024—On Monday, May 6, 2024, bird enthusiast and bestselling author Amy Tan will take the stage in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Murch Auditorium for an intimate discussion of her new book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles—a gorgeous, witty account of birding, nature, and the beauty around us.
In this free presentation, Tan will discuss how she embarked on the emotional journey that would become The Backyard Bird Chronicles, and share some of the surprising, sometimes amusing, and often spectacular drawings she made along the way. She’ll be joined by Dr. Caitlin Colleary, the Museum’s Associate Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, for a wide-ranging conversation about writing and birding, identity and diversity, observation and conservation, and the restorative power of art and nature.
Tan is best known for her novel The Joy Luck Club, which has spent over 40 weeks on The New York Times Bestseller List and which was adapted into a film in 1993. Other novels by Tan include The Kitchen God’s Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, Saving Fish from Drowning, and The Valley of Amazement—all New York Times-bestsellers. In addition, her writing has appeared in numerous national publications such as The New Yorker, Harper’s Bazaar, National Geographic, and The Washington Post. In 2022, Tan was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and in 2023, President Biden presented her with the National Humanities Medal. She serves on the board of American Bird Conservancy, the National Poetry Series, and The Community of Writers.
On Monday, May 6, doors open at 5pm. Beginning at 5:20pm, the Museum’s Librarian & Archivist Joe Tait will lead a brief discussion of the Museum’s bound first-edition set of artist John James Audubon’s Birds of America. Tan’s lecture will begin at 6pm. Space is limited, and registration is highly recommended. Though this lecture is free to the public, donations being collected will benefit the aviary in the Museum's Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Transformation Project
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s $150 million transformation project is an unprecedented reinvention that will align the Museum’s architecture with its mission of instilling a passion for nature and science in all learners. The Transforming the World of Discovery campaign has raised $140 million for this project, which will expand the Museum's building to more than 375,000 square feet and its outdoor visitor areas to more than 2 acres. The transformation project aims to broaden community access and help all stakeholders understand their connection with the natural world and the relevance of science to their daily lives. The latest milestone in this project was the opening in October 2023 of a welcoming new Visitor Hall, a free community space that showcases eight of the Museum’s most iconic objects and specimens. This dramatic, 14,650-square-foot gallery features ceilings that soar to 21 feet and stunning new exhibits placed along the Douglas McCreery and Dr. Laurie McCreery Timeline of the Earth, which marks key events in the history of the Universe. Slated for completion in late 2024, the Museum’s transformation encompasses a complete reimagining of the Museum campus and all its exhibits. Pioneering a new model for natural history museums, the redesigned exhibits will highlight the Museum’s world-class assets while reflecting its role as a trusted community resource. The Museum appreciates the generous support from community members, corporations, foundations, and government grants that has helped to make this transformation a reality.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History 
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,000 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.
Media Contact
Samantha Guenther
External Communications Manager
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
216.403.4557
sguenther@cmnh.org
