Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
5
THE STEINHART AQUARIUM
A
N OFFER FROM THE STEINHART AQUARIUM
in San Francisco prompted
a major move for me and my family in 1962. Joining the sta¤ of one
of the most prestigious aquariums in the United States, I knew, would
be a great opportunity for me to learn about aquatic animals from all
over the world. Not only that, but the Steinhart was in the middle of
its first complete renovation since it opened in 1923, so the timing
couldn't have been better.
This relocation came about after Dr. Earl Herald, director of the Stein-
hart, had visited Marineland. I wasn't aware of his visit and didn't meet
him at the time, but he must have been impressed with the exhibits
he saw, since he wrote and o¤ered me the job of assistant curator. Of
course, I accepted.
And so, with all our worldly belongings crammed into a sixteen-
foot U-Haul trailer that dwarfed our little 1950 Ford “woody” station
wagon, we headed north. What a sight we must have been! Our en-
tourage included my wife, Betty, our preschool-age daughters, Eve and
Amy, two cats, a tortoise, twenty or so marine creatures from my home
aquarium, and me. The trip along the coast took three days, with two
nights spent in cheap motels.
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