The Midwest Museum of Natural History, formerly Sycamore Community Center, is nearing the completion of its $1.2 million renovation.

Stage one of the construction phase is expected to be finished by the end of the year, said Museum Board President Ken Mundy.

He said there are many reasons behind the construction of the museum, but the plan initially began when local veterinarian Russell Schelkopf agreed to donate his collection of 356 preserved animal specimens collected from North America and Africa.

Ann Wright-Parsons, anthropology professor and director of NIU’s anthropology museum, pointed out the importance of preserving collections for the public eye.

“Some people enjoy collecting and keep those collections in their home, but these objects are only available for a few people to see,” she said. “The difference between a collection, per se, is that a collection in a museum is available for the public to view. I think that it’s a responsibility to future generations to preserve and care for these pieces of material culture.”

The Schelkopf collection, called “world class” by some anthropology and biology professionals, contains many rare specimens, including a full-sized elephant and giraffe.

Museum visitors will be treated to a multimedia presentation, complete with touch-screen computers with Internet access allowing users to view information about what they’re viewing from all around the world.

Though plans for the exhibits still are in need of fine-tuning, visitors’ experiences will begin with a trip through an ice age exhibit, showing what this area may have looked like 12,000 years ago. Also planned are two separate exhibits for the Schelkopf collection. One will feature animals native to North America, such as a wolf, brown bear and beaver, and another to highlight the rare animals from Africa.

Expected to be the centerpiece of the museum is the aforementioned full-sized African Elephant. Weighing in at an even ton, the elephant will be one of only 10 complete exhibits on display in the country, Mundy said.

“No small part of the story we’re trying to tell here is that we’re responsible for maintaining the relationships that have developed on Earth for tens of thousands of years,” Mundy said.

The goal of the museum may seem based around this, but it will provide more than just a place for students to learn. Mundy said this museum would provide valuable assets to the community.

In fact, Mundy said, the original goal of the project simply was to preserve the historical building the museum will be housed in.

Also expressed was the expectation of the impact a museum of this caliber will have on a growing town, providing a place for tourists to visit and adding a powerful aspect to the city’s economy.

Following the building’s reconstruction, an additional $500,000 will be needed to construct and engineer the exhibits. Mundy anticipates a mid-to-late 2004 opening for the museum.