Dinosaur Revolution at the Gray Fossil Site

All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2010
All Rights Reserved
See links to article references at the end of the article.

April 2010

Are dinosaurs extinct? Which dinosaurs could fly? You might be surprised at the answers to the questions posed at the Dinosaur Revolution exhibit at the Gray Fossil Site and ETSU Natural History Museum. But, as you will also learn, "every dead end leads to new discoveries."

The Dinosaur Revolution exhibit is a traveling show currently in the special exhibit hall at the Gray Fossil Site and ETSU Natural History Museum. It is designed for children and the "young at heart." The subtitle of the show is "Live Large" and the exhibits help visitors climb, fly, run, learn, touch and play.

One activity, Make Tracks in the Triassic allows visitors to jump into one of three types of dinosaur feet and make an impression. These tracks will provide clues later on in the adventure.

At Glide through the Jurassic visitors learn that you do not need wings to fly, but the dinosaurs did. "Did Archaeopteryx learned to fly by jumping up or jumping down?"

At Create-a-Dino visitors build the Dinosaur baby boom by grabbing some body parts and bringing their " prehistoric vision to life. "

At Genus Quest kids can be a Genus Genius. After spinning the wheel children go in search of the dinosaurs the wheel selects.

At the Mystery Fossil Dig "Eli E. Roneus, owner of Con Man’s Coal Mine, claims he has discovered a collection of fossils and has offered a museum the chance to buy them. The museum is sending you, a recent graduate of the Jr. Paleontology Academy, to investigate. Your job: to examine the fossils, determine if they are authentic and learn whether fossils should be bought and sold."

The Dinosaur Revolution is at the Gray Fossil Site through May 16. Admission to the exhibit is $6 and this also includes admission to the introductory museum next door.

For more information call 1-866-202-6223 or email at info@grayfossilmuseum.com

Directions to The Gray Fossil Site from Watauga Lake:

Take Hwy. 321 to the I-26 Exit in Johnson City. Exit at Gray Exit 13. Turn left (west). The museum is approximately 2 miles ahead on the left.

Links to references in this article and to sites related to Shady Valley Tennessee:

• ETSU Gray Fossil Site Website
• ETSU Now and Then Magazine
• ETSU Now and Then Magazine about the Gray Fossil Site
• Tennessee Division of Geology Website and the Gray Fossil Site
• ETSU Accent Newsletter article about the opening of the Gray Fossil Site Museum
• KnowNews interview with Brick Sculptor Johnny Hagerman