Morrill Hall celebrates National Fossil Day
Posted By: Megan Conway
mconway@klkntv.com
Exploring the past to educate for the future is what Morrill Hall is all about and families got to do just that at a special event in celebration of National Fossil Day.
"Fossil Day is a national celebration of fossils and the goal is to increase people’s awareness of the importance of fossils and to promote science and discovery around them," says Susan Weller, Director of the Nebraska State Museum.
This is the second year the museum has celebrated Fossil Day. Event go–ers could dig like paleontologists, go on a scavenger hunt and other activities. Something new is a virtual tour taking guests to a mammoth dig in South Dakota and fossil beds in Nebraska.
"We’re bringing them in here, so folks can see how the fossils and our fossil highway extends across our state and up into our neighboring state, and extend their reach and extend our understanding of paleontology and fossils. Looking at and understanding fossils and the geology that they came from and the history, helps us understand life on this Earth. It also helps us understand where we might be going," says Annie Mumgaard, Museum Educator.
"Just the excitement of being the first person to see a new discovery that’s been buried for thousands or millions of years is very rewarding and exciting," says Shane Tucker, Nebraska Highway Paleontologist.
Around 200 people came through for the event. Even though it was only for one evening, the museum wants to remind you, they have their fossil collection on display year–round.
