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The 1960's were a period of great expansion and innovation for the Museum of Science as it attempted to establish itself at Science Park as a new, multidimensional science museum. The motto in those early days was "Everybody's Museum", meaning that anyone could come and find something interesting, engaging, and educational.
Amelia Peabody, trustee of the Museum and an artist in her own right, commissioned a set of five large aluminum plaques created by revered local sculptor Theodore C. Barbarossa. The plaques were designed to represent the areas of science that would be highlighted in the growing museum: Astronomy, Man, Nature, Energy, and Industry. Barbarossa used the Museum's star Great Horned Owl, Spooky, as a model for the "Nature" plaque.
"Nature"
"Man"
"Astronomy"
"Energy"
"Industry"
Barbarossa created plaster originals, which were then cast in aluminum and installed on the Museum's new Countway Building in 1963, facing the front of the Museum. However, after the installation, it was apparent that the plaques needed additional finishing, and a company of riggers was asked for a quote to complete the job. Museum Director Brad Washburn was outraged at the proposed cost of refinishing the plaques and instead, enlisted the help of some Exhibits staff members and decided to do the work himself. As an experienced climber, Washburn felt that he could do the work rather than spend the Museum's already-stretched budget on outside contractors.
Installation of the plaques on the front of the Countway Building, 1963
Barbarossa in his studio, circa 1962
Washburn went to the roof of the tower and, using the same techniques he'd learned on mountains in Alaska, slowly rappelled down the face of the Tower, stopping at each plaque to buff and shine the surface to perfection. On the ground, his colleague Dick Sheffield watched carefully, giving instructions by radio.
The plaques remained on the front of the Countway Building until the 1980s, when they were moved to the opposite side of the tower, facing the Charles River. Barbarossa was later commissioned to create sculptures for a biology exhibit entitled "How Your Life Began".
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