JAMESTOWN — The Roger Tory Peterson Institute will celebrate the 113th birthday of Roger Tory Peterson with live music, food, drink and the unveiling of a new Art and Nature Lab mural celebrating Peterson’s legacy on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at RTPI.

Born and raised in Jamestown, Peterson’s claim to fame was the creation of the modern field guide.

“Roger combined his passion for art and his love of birds to make something entirely new,” said RTPI’s Chief Executive Officer, Arthur Pearson. “His field guides are like windows, opening up hearts and minds of millions of people all over the world to the beauty and wonder of nature.”

In recognition of Peterson’s career as an international ambassador for nature, President Jimmy Carter awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980. A few years later, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute was established to champion Peterson’s legacy. A decade later, RTPI completed construction of a 23,000 square-foot museum to house the largest collection of Peterson’s artwork, films, photographs and related materials.

“What better place to celebrate Roger’s ‘Birdday’ than right here at RTPI,” said Pearson.

The party begins at noon on Saturday, August 28. The musical headliner for the day will be Adam McKillip of The Probables – straight out of Jamestown. Bring your appetites – Basil & Bones will be there serving the best in BBQ and Italian cuisine.

To quench your thirst, you’ll have your choice of Johnson Estate wines and Big Inlet brews. For dessert, Elegant Edibles will sate your sweet tooth with a variety of baked goods – including birthday cupcakes for the first 100 guests.

At 1 p.m., everyone will gather on the front porch of RTPI to present Roger with a birthday gift – the unveiling of a new mural in the new Art and Nature Lab.

“As a kid, my dad would take me to RTPI all the time,” said mural artist Erin Ruffino, a recent grad of SUNY Fredonia. “It’s such an honor to create a mural celebrating Roger’s love of art and nature.”

Throughout the event, there will be Nature Discovery Walks and Guided Bird Walks, leading to the Art and Nature Lab, where Erin Ruffino and her artist-father, Chuck Ruffino, will help young people – and young-at-heart people – create a big birthday card for Roger by drawing what they discovered on our new interactive art wall.

The Birdday Party is free. Throughout the day, there will be $2 off admission to enter the museum, plus a 10% discount on all museum store purchases and a 10% discount on memberships.

In the event of rain, the celebration will move indoors. For all indoor events, RTPI is employing the best practices to ensure the health and safety of everyone. When inside the museum, all staff will be wearing masks. RTPI requests all guests help out by wearing masks while inside the museum, as well.

For more information, visit www.rtpi.org.