Around the late 1800s, tradition held that women were expected to fill two roles, that of housewife and mother. This exhibit explores how some women bucked tradition. As women traveled west, many were resolute not to follow the path expected of them, while others were forced to look for nontraditional lives. Some joined the rush for gold, entered politics or looked to the arts, while others ventured into gambling and prostitution. Such women were either praised or scorned, but without their courage, women of today would face a different reality.

Designed to take the visitor on an artistic rainforest adventure, this exhibit showcases the process of creating art in the tropical forests of Central America through the field sketches, paintings and commentary of nature artist Deborah Kaspari.

Museum visitors get a rare chance to view “The Kiss” (“Le Baiser”), one of only five lifetime casts, on this scale, of the bronze statue by Auguste Rodin (1840-1917).