Our History
The creation of the Dinosaur Museum is a major part of Mesalands Community
College’s goal of providing “quality community service programs
responding to the diverse needs of the region.” A significant result of
that process has been the partnership between the College and the
community in recognizing, owning, and promoting the geographical
region’s rich heritage as one of the earth’s premier deposits of
fossilized ancient life.
A museum advisory committee was formed in 1997 to determine the
location, explore financing, and project the impact on the local
economy. The Mesalands Community College Foundation was initially formed
in order to launch a major capital campaign to raise the funds to build
the museum. By 1999, 90% of the funds needed were raised through local
businesses, organizations, and individuals, including elementary
students in the area collecting loose change, with about 10% of the
initial cost of the Museum contributed by the State of New Mexico.
The community has also donated considerable time, energy, and material
resources for remodeling the facility and cataloging specimens.
Individuals have contributed numerous privately owned fossils for
placement on exhibit or as teaching specimens.
Our Facilities
Mesalands Community College's Dinosaur Museum opened in the spring of
2000. The facility houses approximately 10,000 square feet of exhibit
space, a spacious, well-equipped paleontology/geology laboratory (with a
large area devoted to storage of the Museum collections not on exhibit
but available for study), a classroom, offices, and a retail store.
Classes for our natural science degree programs, with an emphasis in
paleontology and geology, are held here, and all fossils found on course
field trips are sorted and prepped in the lab.
Field research conducted by Mesalands Community College’s natural
sciences classes, which operate in the heart of one of the earth’s great
fossil beds, has already unearthed three previously unknown life species
in Quay County, home of the College. Every summer, one-week field
courses are offered (and may be customized for special interest groups)
to the public. Information on these courses may be found elsewhere in
this Web page or by contacting Museum personnel directly.
The Museum Shop offers 1,300 square feet of retail space. Among the
items for sale are scientific and educational books, rocks and minerals,
fossils, clothing, games, teaching aids, gift items and souvenirs, and
much more.
The Museum facilities are available for group tours and for hosting
special events. Organizations and businesses are invited to discuss
their needs with Museum staff.
What’s on Exhibit?
The 11,000 square foot Exhibit Hall houses replicated and original
fossils, from tiny footprint casts to the 40’ long skeleton of a
Torvosaurus. Although not limited to this time span, the Museum’s focus
is on the Mesozoic, the “Age of Dinosaurs,” which is comprised of the
Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. The newest major exhibit to open is
a “mini-museum” that explains and exhibits items from the earliest known
fossils to modern man.
Our Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of bronze
skeletons, fossils, and replicas of prehistoric creatures. The bronzes,
created in the College’s foundry, were poured by members of Mesalands
staff, assisted by a number of community volunteers. The Museum was the
first in the world to display a Torvosaurus skeleton, a rare carnivore
from the Jurassic that is related to Tyrannosaurus rex.
We also offer, throughout the Exhibit Hall, original artwork including
sculptures, paintings, and wall murals, depicting artists’ renderings of
prehistoric life.
And, our Museum is not just for grownups – within the Exhibit Hall is a
children’s activity area with seating for parents and grandparents, and
most of the exhibits are child-friendly and touchable.
Fossil Friends
In fall of 1997, the College launched the volunteer group Fossil
Friends, whereby members of the community were invited to participate in
both the development of the museum and its exhibits, and in collecting
and cataloging local fossils.
Since the Museum's opening in May of 2000, Fossil Friends has expanded
to offer membership to those who prefer to contribute to the Museum
financially rather than by volunteering. Current membership includes
supporters from coast to coast, who have helped finance much needed
supplies for the Museum, as well as contributing to exhibit collections.
Annual dues are good from July 1 through June 30 each year and cost
$7.50 for individuals, $15 for a family (up to four members), and $30
for business members.
Membership in Fossil Friends includes a subscription to the quarterly
newsletter, Bare Bones, which keeps members up to date on the activities
at the Museum and includes a scientific discourse on a natural science
subject by the Museum Curator. Members are also entitled to discounts
for admission and Museum Shop merchandise. Contact Museum personnel for
information on how to join or to learn more about volunteer
opportunities at the Museum.
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Struthiomimus
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Postosuchus
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Camarasaurus Leg
Bone
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Dinosaur Eggs
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