The King Tut Exhibit at the Discovery Center in New York City is wrapping up it’s final USA tour and has been extended until January 17, 2011.  If you don’t want to miss out on it, now is the perfect opportunity to take take the kids or grandkids over the holiday school vacation on a family day trip to see this magnificent exhibit!

I missed out visiting The Treasurers of Tutankhamun (King Tut) when it last toured the USA in 1976 – 1979, and was determined not to miss it again in my lifetime.  For years I’ve had subscriptions to National Geographic Magazine and was able to view all the glorious photos and learn more about the “Boy King.“

When I visited London as a teenager in 1969,  I became fascinated with Egyptian history when my host family took me to see the British Museum of History, which exhibits one of the largest collections of mummies outside of Egypt.

The King Tut exhibition Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs will be on view in New York City at the Discovery Times Square Exposition . . . through Jan. 2, 2011, marking the first time a collection of treasures from the young pharaoh’s tomb has visited the city since the groundbreaking 1979 exhibition that attracted 1.8 million visitors in New York. The National Geographic exhibition contains more than twice the number of artifacts shown previously, with more than 130 objects of exceptional craftsmanship and beauty that provide insight into the daily life and royal burial practices of the 18th Dynasty. Fifty of the artifacts are from Tutankhamun’s tomb, only a handful of which were part of the 1979 exhibition, and an additional 80 objects come from the tombs of his ancestors and other high-ranking figures of his time.

TUTANKHAMUN

Tutankhamun ruled as one of the last kings of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty. Though he appears to have been a minor king who made only modest contributions to the Egyptian empire, he continues to captivate the popular imagination.

Tutankhamun was born around 1343 B.C. in the Egyptian city of Akhetan, now known as Amarna, and died from unknown causes in 1323 B.C., in the ninth year of his reign.

Some Egyptologists have speculated that he was murdered by his successor, Ay. An X-ray taken in 1968 revealed damage to his skull, which could have been caused by a fall, a blow to the head, or during mummification.

More than 50,000 visitors a week filed through each of the museums that housed the King Tut exhibit on its last U.S. tour. Nearly eight million people saw the artifacts during the three years it toured America.

King Tut Treasurers Visit New York City For the First Time In a Generation: New York Is Final Stop On Tour

On one of the coldest Saturdays this season, I visited the King Tut Exhibit NYC at the Discovery Times Square Exposition along with my daughter, a Graduate student in Psychology, and her friend.

Upon entering, we were first shown a brief movie describing the background of King Tut.  We opted to purchase the hand-held audio devices in order to gain a first-hand descriptive perspective of what we were going to be viewing.

The Egyptian artifacts were displayed in subtly lit display cases as we meandered through a maze of darkened rooms.  It felt as if we were walking through the Boy King’s tomb ourselves as we passed through room to room – each with it’s own mysterious music softly playing in the background. I experienced a heightened sense of awareness and excitement wondering what “discovery” I was going to encounter next!

There were also actual old movie reels from 1922 set up in alcoves depicting the discovery by Howard Carter of the tomb in the Valley of the Kings, along with visits and appearances by important dignitaries of the time who made the trip to Egypt.

We were able to spend as much time viewing each display as we needed and spent approximately 2-1/2 hours viewing the displays. The attendees were a diverse multi-generational age group, from all walks of life and cultures.

Among the highlights of the artifacts on display:

Viscera Coffin

Tutankhamun possessed four miniature coffins fashioned of gold and inlaid with colored glass and semi-precious stones. Each stood in a separate compartment in an alabaster chest. A band of inscription running down the front names Imseti—one of the sons of Horus—and the goddess Isis, who would protect the deceased and the particular mummified organ within, in this case the Pharaoh’s liver. The cartouche encircling the king’s name on the interior originally named one of Tutankhamun’s relatives and was reworked to name the boy king, indicating that he died quickly and unexpectedly. (15.55″ x 4.33″ x 3.93″)

Diadem

The golden diadem, inlaid with colored glass and semi-precious stones, was still around the head of Tutankhamun when Howard Carter opened the royal coffin (in 1922) more than 3,200 years after the young king died. The two protective deities, represented by the vulture and the cobra, which originally projected from the front had been removed and placed near the thighs of the mummy to allow the golden face mask to be put into place. (Diadem 15.98″ x 9.72″, Headband 8.07″ diameter 7″ x .86″, Appendages back 10.90″ x 12.51″, Appendages side 5.86″ x 5.86″)

Canopic Bust

Carved of wood and then covered in gesso and painted, this bust of Tutankhamun portrays the young king as a youthful figure rather than a divine being. Although wearing a royal crown with the cobra deity projecting at his brow, he has on a simple linen shirt through which the upper part of his rib cage shows. The bust has a pleasant smile, and his earlobes are pierced, a custom for both males and females during this period. The excavators suggested that the enigmatic statue may have served as a clothes dummy on which garments of the king could be draped or his jewelry displayed. It may also be possible that it served another function, since busts not unlike this are known to have been used during both earlier and later eras in certain religious rituals. (30.31″ x 16.33″ x 11.92″)

Golden Ceremonial Dagger and Sheath

So important was this dagger to Tutankhamun that it was placed upon his mummy among the wrappings. The blade is highly polished gold with simple and elegantly engraved details. The hilt, also of gold, has alternating bands of
granulated gold and cloisonné of red and blue glass. The pommel surmounting the handle has a circlet of two falcons with outstretched wings, while its top is decorated with a floral motif, in the center of which are two cartouches with the names of the king. (Dagger 12.51″ full length, Blade 8.03″ x 1.33″, Sheath 8.11″ x 1.69″)

A portion of the proceeds from this exhibition is helping to fund antiquity conservation efforts in Egypt, including the building of a new Grand Museum in Cairo that will provide a world-class home for the country’s treasured artifacts.

Discovery Times Square Exposition (Discovery TSX), New York City’s first large scale exhibition center, presents visitors with limited-run, dynamic educational and entertaining exhibit experiences as they explore some of the world’s defining cultures, art, artifacts and events. Located in the vast space that once housed The New York Times’ printing presses, Discovery TSX features an all-star lineup of some of the world’s most popular and riveting exhibitions in unique and expanded installations.

Discovery Times Square Exposition is open daily and is located at 226 West 44th Street between 7th Avenue and Broadway. Venue hours: Sunday – Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Last admission is 90 minutes prior to closing. Exhibition admission tickets are not needed for access to café, private events space or retail store.

For exhibition tickets or more information visit: DiscoveryTSX

PHOTO CREDIT: © Andreas F. Voegelin, Antikenmuseum Basel and Sammlung Ludwig Dynasty 18, Reign of Tutankhamun 1323-1322 BCE

Do you have a family and kid-friendly attraction, lodging, restaurant or event that you would like me to visit, write about and feature? To forward information and passes please Contact me.

I was provided with a Press Pass and Press Information.  Opinions are my own.

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A New England fall is always beautiful but October is particularly a special time of year to travel and plan New England vacations and visit.  There’s plenty of things to do in CT, and residents and businesses alike in historic towns such as Wethersfield, CT take the opportunity to display their heritage and wares of the season.

New England Fall

Comstock Ferre Wethersfield Connecticut

Comstock Ferre Wethersfield Connecticut

Comstock Ferre Wethersfield Connecticut

Comstock Ferre Wethersfield Connecticut

Scarecrows on Main Wethersfield Connecticut

A favorite event in October is the annual Scarecrows on Main that Wethersfield, CT hosts.  Held several weeks prior to Halloween, local civic organizations, daycare groups, restaurants, arts groups and residents decorate their yards and display fall door decorations whether they’re entering the contest or not!

Scotts Farm Glastonbury Connecticut

Scotts Farm Glastonbury Connecticut

Scotts Farm Glastonbury Connecticut

Nothing but fresh-pressed apple cider for us in the fall!  We like to take a day trip to visit local farms and gather locally grown produce and bakery items.

If You Go: Historic Wethersfield Tourism Commission

Does your town do anything special to welcome in the season?

© 2010 C. Matthews

Don’t forget to sign the linky!

Unique Christmas Decorations in New York | New York Christmas Trees | A Pinterest Christmas is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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My latest Girlfriend Getaway found me in the northeast and northwest corners of the state.

Daytrip Travel New England

The Litchfield Hills are the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains and include portions of the Appalachian trail. It’s an easy one hour drive from Hartford, or 2 hour drive from New York City or Albany, New York.

I visited the two remaining Connecticut Covered Bridges in the state that are open to vehicle traffic.

Connecticut’s Covered Bridges

On a beautiful Labor Day weekend, we drove the Malibu across the scenic Cornwall Covered Bridge which spans the Housatonic River. The Housatonic River’s source is in western Massachusetts near Pittsfield and winds it’s way down the state ending up at the mouth of Long Island Sound between Stratford and Milford.

Using OnStar navigation and traveling seven miles farther south to Kent, as we meandered down Route 7 we passed quaint New England churches and stopped along the way to visit the Connecticut Antique Machinery Museum.

Once arriving in Kent, we crossed the Housatonic River via the Bulls Bridge , which is the shorter span of these two covered bridges.

On our journey back towards Hartford after stopping for lunch in New Milford, I turned the climate control air conditioning off and opened up the sunroof to enjoy the heat of the late afternoon sun.

If You Go: Go New England

Follow me on my next Getaway as I take you to the northeast corner of Connecticut to visit The Quiet Corner.

Follow my travels and see where I’ll take you on Girlfriend Getaway, and Visit your CT Chevy Dealer, test drive a Chevy Malibu and receive a $40 Gift Certificate to SpaFinder.


On Twitter: @Moomettes #ctchevygirls

© 2010 Moomettes Magnificents

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One Sunday my husband and I were out for a daytrip drive and came across some tobacco farm barns.  Connecticut is famously known for growing shade tobacco.

I like the stark contrast of this red barn against the winter tree line.

© 2010 C. Matthews

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New England Halloween Happenings

Fall in New England is a special time of year.  Although I live in Connecticut, the states are so close that we can easily visit many wonderful events, and it’s an easy gas-tank away to  make it a day-trip for the family.

Over the years, we’ve visited the wonderful historical town of Salem, Massachusetts during it’s 300th Anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials,  during October, which was tremendously educational and entertaining.

I’d like to let you know about a family event that’s both enjoyable and taking place for a good cause.  Take the kids and invite the grandparents (yay!).

Mark your calendars!

The Boston Medical Center’s Halloween Town will be taking place this year on October 24 – 25 at the Seaport World Trade Center. The special guest is Dan Zanes.

While Dan Zanes takes the main stage, the rest of the Seaport World Trade Center will be transformed into a 70,000 square-foot haunted town for toddlers to 12 year olds.

Interactive games and kid friendly activities include:

• Interact with a “real” ghost

• Meet & Greets with favorite characters from movies, books and cartoons

• LazerTag

• Children can also listen to their favorite tales in the MonsterPiece   Theater

• iParty Birthday Lab

• Pepsi Monster Midway

• Haunted Mine

• Farmers Market

• The Swamp

All zones are “scare rated” providing fun for all ages.  Halloween Town is also packed with great entertainment including jugglers, dancers, and fabulous musicians. With over 15,000 guests last year and more than 120,000 pieces of candy given away it is sure to become this year’s highlight for all ages from toddlers to ‘tweens.

For More Information Visit: HalloweenTownBoston

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a 4-pack of Tickets to the event.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit HalloweenTown and leave a comment about another fact not mentioned in this post and why you’d like to attend.

This contest will run until October 16, 2009 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Unique Christmas Decorations in New York | New York Christmas Trees | A Pinterest Christmas is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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