Recently, United States service members, civilians and national park rangers gathered onboard the USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication of a new shipboard museum in honor of Mesa Verde National Park, the ship's namesake.
 
"We are honored that the USS Mesa Verde will take the story of this truly significant national park and share it with the world," said Larry Wiese, Park Superintendent. "The USS Mesa Verde will serve as an ambassador ship interpreting Mesa Verde National Park, Ancestral Puebloan culture, and contemporary Native American culture around the world as the ship makes port visits."
 
Commanding Officer Capt. Shawn Lobree said, "It is amazing to see this spectacular exhibit now sitting in a small space, directly behind the bridge. Dignitaries and visitors around the world will be able to make the connection between this ship and Mesa Verde National Park."
 
The design of the exhibit was created by Mystic Scenic Studios and Mesa Verde National Park staff.  A section of a cliff dwelling was recreated from reference photos provided by the park. "This is the smallest and most unique exhibit I've worked on," said designer Kevin Simard. "We've made accommodations so the sets are adjustable. They can expand and collapse depending on environmental conditions and in case the ship encounters rough seas and things of that nature."
 
This unique museum was funded by the USS Mesa Verde Commissioning Committee, the USS Mesa Verde Officer Spouse Club, and Mesa Verde National Park.

The Four Corners Lecture Series will kick off its 2009 season on Friday, May 8th at 7:00 p.m. The theme for this year's series is "Not Just One Story: Native American Collaborations with Anthropologists." The May 8th event will be held at the Cortez Recreation Center. Noted speaker Joseph Day will give his talk, "Confusion on the Cultural Frontier."
 
The Four Corners Lecture Series offers free programs for the public from May through October at a variety of locations in Cortez, Dolores, Durango, and Mesa Verde National Park. It is sponsored by the Mesa Verde Institute (an educational program of the Mesa Verde Museum Association), along with Anasazi Heritage Center, ARAMARK/Mesa Verde Company, Cortez Cultural Center, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, Fort Lewis College Center of Southwest Studies, KSJD Dry Land Community Radio, and the National Park Service.
 
We hope to see you at a lecture this year! Click here to view the entire schedule.

Celebrate National Parks Week (April 18-26, 2009) by sharing Mesa Verde with your world, and do something nice for the environment at the same time! JUST SAY NO to single-use bottled water; buy our refillable Nalgene water bottle instead, and stem the tide of billions of bottles streaming into landfills and recycling centers. Our sturdy BPA-free bottles hold 32 ounces of your favorite beverage. They come in a variety of jewel-tone colors (red, blue, green, purple, and pink). One side features the Mesa Verde Institute logo, adapted from the park's logo; the reverse side has a brief water history of the Southwest.
 
Our bottles are $12.99 each. MVMA members: please call 1-800-305-6053 to obtain your 20% discount on this item. Click here to order yours.