MAC lectures focus on treasure hunting, the Hope diamond

Mark your calendars for two lectures at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture this month.

First up: “Salvaging Sunken Spanish Treasure” with long-time treasure hunter Margaret Weller. She’ll speak at 2 p.m. April 16.

Weller has been salvaging off the coast of Florida since the 1970s. Some of her family’s gold and silver treasure discovers are in the “Treasure!” exhibit at the museum through May 29.

The suggested donation for her talk is $10.

On April 21, the Smithsonian’s Richard Kurin will talk about his main area of expertise: the Hope diamond.

Kurin is the Smithsonian’s acting provost and under secretary for museums and research. He’ll be in Spokane to help the MAC mark its 100th birthday.

His talk, “Hope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed Gem,” will be at 6:30 p.m. The suggested donation is $15.

The MAC is at 2316 W. First Ave. For more information on either lecture and other events at the museum, visit www.northwestmuseum.org.