As the community prepares for the unofficial start to the summer with the Victoria Day Long Weekend, the Royal Tyrrell Museum (the Museum) is also preparing for a busy summer by unveiling a new exhibit just before the weekend.
On Friday, May 16th, the Museum opened their newest display named “Breakthroughs”. They held a ribbon cutting event to welcome visitors and dignitaries to the new redesigned area near the preparation lab. Executive Director of the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Lisa Making, is excited to open this area celebrating the history of the Museum in the Drumheller Valley. “One of the biggest things for us this year, is we wanted to make sure the community and the Museum celebrated 40 years of the Royal Tyrrell Museum in the Drumheller Valley. We’re really excited to be able share some of the stories of some of the amazing discoveries in the work we’ve done here and also so the community that we’re grateful of all the support we have received.”
The area, which was designed to pay homage to the opening of the Royal Tyrrell Museum back in September of 1985, by using some of the original colours from the original displays, as well as showcasing some of the amazing specimens that have been found in Alberta. “What we wanted to make sure that people knew is how unique Alberta is, in the story of paleontology. We have discovered so many specimens, and made so many scientific breakthroughs that have changed how the world looks at paleontology. This (Alberta) is one of the hottest places on Earth, for the discovery of dinosaurs and ancient life.” The new area was developed by local designers and constructed with local contractors.
New “Breakthroughs” exhibit
The fossils on display in the new exhibit are some that have been in the Royal Tyrrell Museum’s possession since the Museum opened back in 1985. Making notes that the scientific discoveries continue from fossils discovered 40 years ago. “Science is never finished. Science is going back and reexamining and testing, and that’s what we do here. There is one story that you’ll learn about with the evidence of the first feathered dinosaurs. We’re using a specimen that was found by Dr. (Phillip) Currie back in the 80’s. Our scientist, Dr. Francois Therrien, about 10 years ago, reexamined that specimen and saw new evidence of feathers, which changed the whole story in Western Canada.”
Making hopes that the eagerness for discovery never waivers. “We want people to learn, examine, question, explore, build that youthful energy to take those risks again, to discover something new.” The Royal Tyrrell Museum’s new Breakthrough exhibit is now open to discover. For more information and all the details, visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum’s website.
Comments