Explore real fossils, ancient dinosaurs, and the prehistoric world of Wyoming
While roaming our beautiful campus at the University of Wyoming, you may have come across a giant T.rex statue standing proudly near the geological museum. Affectionately known as “Rexy”, the towering dinosaur was created by Samuel H. “Doc” Knight and has served as a beloved landmark for over 60 years. More than just a photo op, Rexy marks the entrance to the museum filled with prehistoric wonders from right here in good ol’ Wyoming.
Upon entering the museum, you are greeted by a life sized skeleton of an Apatosaurus right over your head. Stretching an impressive 75 feet, this massive dinosaur was found in 1901, at Sheep Creek in Albany County, and is believed to have used its long tail as a whip to ward off predators. But don’t forget to check around the back of the large center display, lurking at the rear of the Apatosaurus, a fierce predator that once roamed the same ancient landscapes: an allosaurus!
Since the museum’s founding in 1887, it has served as a hub for learning and discovery, showcasing an astonishing 60,000 specimens and 50 holotypes. With roughly 20,000 visitors a year, this museum serves as both a fun and education visit for all, whether you are K-12, a student at the university, a tourist traveling through, or a local looking for something new in our Laramie community.
Not only does this must-see exhibit feature the skeletal remains of prehistoric creatures, but also displays unique and beautiful rock and gemstone samples, from all over the United States.
Continuing to head toward the back, there is even an interactive sandbox called the Augmented Reality Sandbox, or ARS for short. Using innovative software technology and kinetic sand, the ARS allows for a fun, hands-on way to teach concepts of topography, watershed, and ecosystems. And it’s fun too!
As you head upstairs, the museum continues to offer engaging exhibits that dive deeper into Earth’s ancient history. Informative wall displays explore topics such as the supercontinent Pangea, prehistoric animal migration patterns, and in-depth analyses of various dinosaur species. Toward the end of the upper level, visitors will find an impressive array of larger fossil specimens, showcasing the sheer scare and diversity of life that once roamed the region. Overhead, a life-sized model of a pterodactyl is suspended from the ceiling, as if soaring above the exhibits, offering a dramatic reminder of the creatures that one ruled the skies.
The next time you and your classmates make the traditional trek to toss pinecones into Rexy’s mouth for a bit of midterm or finals-week luck, take a moment to explore what lies just beyond the T. rex. The University of Wyoming’s Geological Museum is open and free to the public on Monday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and is closed on Sundays as well as major holidays.
