NASHVILLE – What do bobble heads, chewing gum savers and bronze baby shoes have in common? 

On Saturday, May 14, more than 25 of Middle Tennessee’s most passionate collectors will gather at Adventure Science Center to show off these and other of their most prized possessions during the science center’s inaugural “Collectors Day.”
 
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can survey an extensive display of impressive and often surprising personal collections from throughout the community.  Antique lovers, sports fanatics and everyone in between are sure to find something to admire.  Included in the lineup of family-friendly collections are antique fishing tackle, editions of the classic book Moby Dick, hand sculptures and more than 200 hand-made origami figures.  Lane Motor Museum will also be on hand exhibiting its collection of unique cars outside the Center for guests to enjoy.
 
”We are excited to host an event that focuses on the practice of collecting, something that both scientists and non-scientists do,” said Susan Duvenhage, CEO of Adventure Science Center. “While the collections exhibited during this event may not be research or academic collections, they nonetheless reflect the human passion for inquiry - comparing, noting similarity and dissimilarity, ordering, and finding meaning in the objects collected, which is the basis of science. “
 
“Object collecting is a time honored western tradition, which fostered scientific inquiry into the origin and character of the natural and man-made world, explains Herschell Parker, Adventure Science Center Curator and Exhibits Manager.   “Ultimately this tradition gave rise to museums, botanical gardens, and zoos.  Today, object collections remain valuable for current and future scientific research, for the academic training of future scientists, and for informal public education that occurs everyday in museums and science centers worldwide. “
 
Adding to the activities, an “It’s Just Stuff” appraisal booth will be set up at the Center from 1-3 p.m. Visitors are invited to bring one unusual item of their own and have its worth evaluated during the “Collectors Day” celebration. Appraisal is limited to one portable item per person.
 
“Collectors Day” activities, including the “It’s Just Stuff” appraisal booth, are included with regular admission to the Adventure Science Center, which is $12 for adults and $9 for children ages 2 to 12, seniors 65+, active military families (with ID) and college students (with ID).  For more information about “Collectors Day” and other exhibits, visit www.adventuresci.com.