(above photo) MNHM staff at work in Morrison's historic Quarry 10, site of the first discovery of Apatosaurus ajax in 1877. In 2003, the Museum dig crew discovered Colorado's first Stegosaurus tracks at this site. Digging continues...

The Morrison Natural History Museum was founded to interpret and preserve the dramatic Earth history of Morrison, Colorado and the greater Front Range. The building itself is an experiment in reuse, combining the condemned cabin of a local rancher with new materials. Volunteer labor built a foundation on Town land, and perched the cabin upon it. On October 26th, 1989 the Morrison Natural History Museum opened as an teaching museum where small groups of visitors could interact with knowledgeable guides and encounter natural history.

Since 1995, the Museum has been proudly operated by the Town of Morrison. Visitor’s admission fees and Museum Shop sales help the town of less than 450 residents to offer the educational services provided by the Museum. In 2007 nearly 15,000 tourists visited the Museum or participated in outreach events: an exponential jump from the previous year.

To further support the Town’s endeavor in 2005, a private charity was created to support the Museum’s mission. The Morrison Natural History Museum Foundation is an IRS recognized 501 c 3 non-profit corporation.

Just outside Morrison, the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge (an independent non-profit) operates a Visitor Center at the Alameda Roadcut along Dinosaur Ridge to interpret the geology and fossils of that site. The Morrison Natural History Museum collaborates with the Friends to generate awareness about West Denver’s Earth science resources.

Recently, the Museum has received international acclaim for its fossil discoveries at the historic dinosaur dig sites along Dinosaur Ridge. These excavations, supported by the Jefferson County Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and Aggregate Industries, have yielded a treasure trove of infant dinosaur tracks. Included in the discoveries are the first infant stegosaur and apatosaur tracks. The Museum’s dig crew continues in the 130 year tradition of exploring local outcrops for clues to Colorado’s ancient past.

In 2009 the Museum is poised for major exhibit renovation to be completed by Memorial Day Weekend. Come and explore the cabin that is packed with a growing collection of natural history wonders.