Julian exhibit opening Saturday

At 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, "Defying the Odds," a community-curated exhibit about Percy Julian and his family will open at the Putnam County Museum.

The exhibit will tell the story of how the Julians chose Greencastle and how all six of the children became highly accomplished professionals. Percy Julian was a world- renowned scientist, and his siblings became doctors, teachers, social workers and diplomats. Visitors can peek into a model of the Julian home to discover the family's talents or listen to short pieces of Percy Julian's speeches and learn more about his story through a multimedia slide show. The exhibit was created by the Putnam County Public Library, DePauw University, NAACP, and Greencastle High School students.

For the opening on Saturday, previews of the NOVA special "Forgotten Genius" will show on the hour and half hour from 10 a.m.-noon. And children can create a stamp, modeled after the stamp issued in Percy Julian's honor in 1993.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to share their own stories about Percy Julian and the Julian family during the opening. For example, Alice Cantonwine shared this story: "My father, Dwight Vanlandingham owned the land across the road from a country home Dr. Julian bought for his extended family. In 1945, I married Estle Cantonwine who had rheumatoid arthritis. When we heard of Dr. Julian's work with the discovery of cortisone, my father asked for his help. Dr. Julian responded immediately in seeing that Estle was provided with a prescription. He was one of the first people ever to receive cortisone for rheumatoid arthritis. Cortisone helped him to have a quality of life he could never have enjoyed without it. We were ever grateful for Dr. Julian's help in this matter."

Join the Museum in celebrating this extraordinary family. "Defying the Odds" will be open through early April. Museum hours are 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, and by appointment. The Museum is located at 1105 N. Jackson St. in Greencastle. Additional information can be obtained at the Museum's website www.co.putnam .in.us/Museum, by calling 653-8419, or e-mailing museum@co.putnam.in.us.

This exhibit is offered in conjunction with the DePauw University reception preceding NOVA special "Forgotten Genius" on PBS running on Feb. 6. The reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Julian Center Atrium. The NOVA program starts at 8 p.m. Visit www.depauw.edu/julian for more information about related events and Percy Julian himself.