That's Classified

birthday party

Quick, name the 18th-century Swedish naturalist who invented the modern system for classifying plants and animals. His work simplified the complex, gave a name to every living thing, and allowed ordinary people to talk smartly about science using terms he coined like "Homo sapiens" and "mammals." But outside of high school classrooms and the Nordic region, the guy's own name — with cruel irony — has become obscure. All this may soon change: Over the next two years, as the tercentenary of his birth draws closer, we'll be hearing much more about Carl Linnaeus, our man in question. The American Swedish Museum has big plans for a 2007 Linnaeus exhibition, cushioned by warm-up events to "get his name into people's minds," says program director and guest curator Karen Reeds. This Saturday's Linnaeus Day includes lectures on both Linnaeus and his student, Pehr Kalm, who studied in the Pennsylvania region, and a botany walk through FDR Park in the style of Linnaeus' famous excursions through Uppsala, Sweden. Back then, "up to 100 people joined in," says Reeds. "Every time someone found a new plant, a trumpet blew." The day always ended with an extravagant banquet. "Ours won't be as dramatic," laughs Reeds. No biggie. Discovering beautiful flora in South Philly sounds equally riveting.

Linnaeus Day, Sat., May 21, 1:30 p.m., $12-$15 (reservations required), American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Ave., 215-389-1776.

—Tami Fertig