Discover the Prehistoric Museum in Price, Utah - Part Two.

Utah State University Eastern - Prehistoric Museum

155 East Main Street
Price, Utah, 84501

Phone: (435) 613-5060
             (800) 817-9949

Website: http://usueastern.edu/museum/

So, in Part One, I left you with a tease...dinosaur skeletons and bones; they're all over the place!  The majority of skeletons, bones and fossils have come to the museum from the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry which can be visited.

Before you get into the dinosaur area, you will walk through the art gallery.  Unfortunately, the featured current artist does not allow her work photographed; however, it is amazing!





One awesome exhibit is the Armor Plated Dinosaurs; currently there are three skeletons, but there might be a fourth joining the crew soon.

Make sure to see every one of the displays on Dino Tracks, Fossils and the rest of the Dinosaurs roaming around....well, who once roamed around this area of Utah.  True dino lovers will absolutely drool.



Chasmosaurus

Duck Billed Dinosaur



Dimetrodon

The Labs have viewing windows where you might see someone working on fossils or bones.  There is an "Era Chart" which shows you which dinosaurs roamed the Earth during which time period.  The raised diorama of the state of Utah is very detailed, and this one displayed at the museum was the last made.

The Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry is featured in many displays; there is a complete display on the finding of  "Al" the Allosaurus.

More displays about the development of life on this planet, and as tasty as that Giant Clam might look....yeah, not so much according to what Lloyd Logan told us about dino cuisine.  By the way, did I happen to mention that of all the dinosaurs, the Duck Billed is my favorite; not sure why, but there is something so appealing about them.

 

Fossilized dinosaur eggs, but don't be expecting a "Jurassic Park" anytime soon. With the single egg, the mom got so stressed out that another layer of shell was produced over the embryo. The poor little tyke inside didn't have a chance of breaking through.

Giant Clam

Before you leave, take a good look against the wall, the shadow of "Al" can be a great photo op., especially for the kids.....or grownups who enjoy having good times.

Once again, looking for a fun time among the dinosaurs, the Prehistoric Museum in Price, Utah is a do NOT miss adventure.

Mrs. Indiana Jones signing off....have to go rescue the husband from "Al" before he becomes a dino snack.

Mary Cokenour

Discover the Prehistoric Museum in Price, Utah - Part One.

Utah State University Eastern - Prehistoric Museum

155 East Main Street
Price, Utah, 84501

Phone: (435) 613-5060
             (800) 817-9949

Website: http://usueastern.edu/museum/

Do you like dinosaurs!  Do you like fossils?  Do you like exploring the cultures of pre-modern mankind!  Then do I have the place for you to visit when you're in Price, Utah...the Prehistoric Museum!  This museum brings out, not just the wondrous child, but the "Indiana Jones", in all of us.

Lets go take the tour...

Even though the main address is for East Main Street; parking is actually around the corner and you cannot miss the bronze statues outside.  Once you enter, you can pay your fee at the counter which also encompasses the gift shop (so much awesome stuff to buy!).  Oh, and don't forget to say "hi" to the official greeter, the Utah Raptor.  We were very lucky to be given a private tour by Lloyd Logan, Director of Education and Exhibits at the museum; he has a long list of credentials and gave us a great tour.  Talk about knowledge!

By the way, did you know that evidence was found that proved that raptors were feathered creatures?





The last time we had been to this museum was, I believe, 2009, and the Columbian Mammoth exhibit was just being built.  What a thrill to go back, after so many years, and see it in its full glory.  There are also glass cases, around the room, holding all manner of archaeological information and finds.

One display contains the Cave Bear, Sabre-Tooth Tiger and Dire Wolf; behind it is a fantastical mural done by artist, Joseph Venus.  The skeleton of each creature is in front of the artist's rendition of what it looked like in prehistoric times, and its relationship with mankind.

One of the cultures known to have been in the area is the Fremont Culture; their presence is very well documented in the Nine Mile Canyon area, outside of Wellington, Utah.

Pilling Figurines

Of course, another culture's presence was known of in the area, and most people are familiar with their name...Anasazi.

 

 

What was a day in the life like back in prehistoric times?  Take a good look at the displays and think about, "Could I have lived, and survived, back then?"

The Prehistoric Museum does not concentrate only on the Price/Wellington area of Utah, but Utah itself.   Displays in other areas, such as Capitol Reef and Hovenweep, show the interconnection of the cultures living in those times long ago.

Capitol Reef

Hovenweep

Nine Mile Canyon

Joseph Venus has several pieces of his artwork on display at the Prehistoric Museum; one is depicting "The Great Hunt", a Fremont panel located in Nine Mile Canyon.










Well, that concludes Part One of the Prehistoric Museum in Price, Utah.....here's your tease for Part Two.

Mary Cokenour