News
Morrison Natural History Museum Featured in Smithsonian magazine
For immediate release. Contact Matthew Mossbrucker at 303-697-1783 or info@mnhm.org for more information.
Morrison, CO - May 16, 2008 - Dinosaur researchers Matthew Mossbrucker and Robert Bakker of the Morrison Natural History Museum have been featured in the May 2008 issue of Smithsonian magazine. Since 2002, the duo has discovered a treasure trove of new dinosaur information in the town of Morrison, Colorado. Included in their finds are rare hatchling dinosaur footprints in the foothills town west of Denver.
"It is quite flattering for our crew to be featured in Smithsonian." remarks Museum Director Mossbrucker, who found the baby dinosaur tracks. "This international exposure is wonderful for our museum and the Town of Morrison."
The Town of Morrison is a daytrip destination to Denver Metro area residents boasting an array of restaurants, shops and its flagship family destination: the Morrison Natural History Museum that attracts tens of thousands each year to a Town of less than 450 residents.
The fossils featured in the Smithsonian article are on display at the Morrison Natural History Museum, and are being worked into an exhibit entitled “Birthplace of Jurassic Giants” that is scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend of 2009.
To see a sneak preview of the exhibit, visit the Museum’s 6th annual "Dinosaur Days" event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 24 and Sunday May 25. To find out more about Dinosaur Days and special events around local fossil discoveries, visit www.mnhm.org . Regular admission charged.
Abundant in natural history, the tiny foothills town of Morrison has yielded important fossils since 1877. Morrison Natural History Museum researchers began exploring the 150-million-year-old Jurassic rocks of the Morrison area in 2003 with support from Aggregate Industries and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, (SCFD).
"For more than 130 years dinosaur diggers have scoured the foothills west of Denver" says Mossbrucker. "Our crew at the Morrison Natural History Museum is proud to be a part of this tradition."
“We’ll keep exploring and digging so long as kids keep getting excited about dinosaurs.” muses Mossbrucker, who doesn’t expect exploration to cease any time soon.
###
Morrison Natural History Museum Discovers Rare Footprints of Infant Dinosaur.
For immediate release. Contact Matthew Mossbrucker at 303-697-1783 or info@mnhm.org for more information.
Discovery first of its kind in the world.
Morrison, CO - May 22, 2007 - Researchers at the Morrison Natural History Museum have discovered two rare hatchling dinosaur footprints in the foothills west of Denver, near the town of Morrison.
The fossil footprints represent the first hatchling Stegosaurus footprints ever found, according to leading paleontologist Dr. Robert T. Bakker, the museum's curator of paleontology. Stegosaurus was first discovered in Morrison in 1877 and is Colorado's state fossil.
"The tracks are so crisply preserved that I can imagine the sound of tiny feet splashing up water when the baby dinosaurs came to this ancient river to drink and cool down," remarks Museum Director Matthew Mossbrucker, who found the tracks. "I still can't get over just how small these footprints are."
The tracks can be eclipsed by a fifty-cent piece, suggesting that hatchling Stegos were about the size of newborn human baby.
The fossils will go on permanent display at the Morrison Natural History Museum Memorial Day weekend as part of its annual "Dinosaur Days" event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 26 through Monday May 28. To find out more about Dinosaur Days and special events around the new footprints, visit www.mnhm.org .
Abundant in natural history, the tiny foothills town of Morrison has yielded important fossils since 1877. Morrison Natural History Museum researchers began exploring the 150-million-year-old Jurassic rocks of the Morrison area in 2003 with support from Aggregate Industries, the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, and the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences. Coincidentally, 2007 marks the 130th anniversary of the first fossil finds in the area.
"If these dinosaurs were hatching in our modern world instead of 150 million years ago, they would be within sight of Denver’s skyscrapers, " says Mossbrucker. "These infant dinosaur fossils have raised more questions than they have answered. We'll have to keep digging."
###
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW DINOSAUR DISCOVERY: MAY 22, 2007. FOSSIL TO GO ON DISPLAY MAY 26, 2007. STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS.
New Dinosaur Discoveries
For immediate release. Contact Matthew Mossbrucker at 303-697-1783 or info@mnhm.org for more information.
Morrison, CO – May 19, 2006 – Researchers at the Morrison Natural History Museum have discovered two new dinosaur tracksites west of Denver.
Among the fossils recovered are the first Stegosaurus footprints found in Colorado, according to Scientific Director Dr. Robert T. Bakker.
Adorned with two rows of bony plates along the spine, and tail ending with four spikes, the elephant-sized Stegosaurus was first discovered in
Morrison in 1877 and is Colorado’s State Fossil.
“You don’t have to globetrot to find important new fossils. We look no further than our own backyard,” said Museum Director and dinosaur researcher Matthew Mossbrucker,
“When I look at these tracks I can almost hear the sounds of dinosaur feet grinding into wet river sand.”
The Morrison Natural History Museum is hosting an event to celebrate area dinosaur discoveries. Called “Dinosaur Days,” the event will be held Saturday, May 27and Sunday, May 28 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Special event admission is $1.00 per person.
“These fossils are a rare window into Colorado’s distant past,” remarks Mossbrucker, “and there is certainly much more to be discovered.”
About the Morrison Natural History Museum
The Morrison Natural History Museum's combination of personal, hands-on tours in a relaxed, rustic atmosphere creates a unique experience with every visit.
Featured on display are West Denver's historic and modern dinosaur discoveries, regional geology, living native reptiles, and more.
Exhibits are rotated regularly. Come explore with us.
###
| 
