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Nestled in the heart of a resource rich archaeological, paleontological and geological play land, our museum has much to offer in diverse prehistoric subjects.
One thing that makes our museum so unique is that our items on display were actually discovered within a stone’s throw of the actual museum location! Dinosaurs and other finds from this region are world-famous, but only here can you see them surrounded by their original context.
The other unique aspect is that from digging, to discovery, to display, we do it all! We actually travel into the field and discover the dinosaurs, collect them from the field, prep them in our bone lab, and put them on display! With this advantage, we strive to bring the cutting-edge world of discovery directly to you.
The Prehistoric Museum is one of only five accredited museums in the state of Utah, and the only accredited museum located off the Wasatch Front, as well as a state and federal repository.
The Utahraptor , discovered in the 1990’s has been moved to our new Observation Labs where it is being prepped and posed to take a stand in the museum lobby to greet guests as the arrive. It is the slashing fiend that adults and children love to photograph! It stole the thunder from the original museum mascot Al the Allosaurus with his arrival just prior to the release of the movie Jurassic Park. The fictional raptors in that movie were actually brought to reality with the discovery of Utahraptor.
The Observation Labs bring a new dimension to your museum visit. Here you can actually see dinosaur bones being prepped and archaeological material being curated. Beyond witnessing these processes, the labs are equipped with sliding windows where the visitor can speak with preparators one on one. What an incredible experience!
Drawing upon our collections of thousands of bones, we can have more actual dinosaur bone on display than any other museum in the region, as well as relatively complete mounted skeletons reproduced straight from the bones we have dug.
This results in excellent dinosaur displays such as the Utahraptor killing claw, the land of armor display and many more.
Our trackway displays are equally as impressive. We have one of the finest fossil track displays thanks to the abundance of local specimens.
Additionally, we have dozens of interpretive exhibits in both halls of the museum.
Also located in the Hall of Paleontology, on the main floor, is the Living Fossil Exhibit, a favored event for museumgoers and a place for the alligator, soft-shelled turtle and two monitor lizards to call home. Every Friday, at 4:00 pm, a live feeding of these critters takes place (general admission fees apply).
In the lower level of the Hall of Archaeology you can view the famous Huntington Mammoth, one of the most pristine examples of a Columbian mammoth in existence, reigning over impressive mounts of other animals from Ice Age Utah.
You can also see the Pilling Figurines, iconic artworks of the Fremont Culture, profiled multiple times in National Geographic and hailed as the most complete and well-kept figurines in existence. The Hall of Archaeology also has baskets, pottery, the Fremont flute, and so much more!
Our children’s discovery area is sure to please. Whether your little ones are digging for dinosaur bones, unearthing pottery sherds, coloring or playing with the puppets and games, there is something for kids of all ages in our Dino Discovery Area.
The museum also houses a rotating art gallery on the second floor, so chances are that there will be a new exhibition every time you visit.
Don’t forget to stop by the museum gift shop and choose from the wonderful selection of items to remember your visit. We have a penny press, and a great selection of books, toys and shirts to choose from.