Nothing quite captures our imaginations like Dinosaurs. From Mammoths to T. Rexes, these enormous, prehistoric creatures are fascinating to kids and adults alike. In Wyoming, there are several places where you can see dinos that were dug up from the earth, but nothing is quite as unique as the Tate Geological Museum at Casper College.
Wyoming is full of unique finds, and the Tate Geological Museum in Casper is one of them. You'll know you've found the right place... trust me.
This geological museum is located on the campus of Casper College, and you'll know you've found it when you see a giant, towering T. Rex statue in the parking lot.
Tate's claim to fame is the fact that it is home to Dee, an 11,000-year-old Mammoth that was discovered nearby in 2006.
Dee is the oldest, largest and most complete Columbian Mammoth on display in the country. Dino fans from all over come to Casper to check out this impressive skeleton.
Dee was discovered on an oil well pad site in Glenrock, WY by a worker who was clearing some land and digging with a backhoe.
When several large white bones came up with his backhoe, Dee Zimmerscheid knew he found something unique. He called in some experts and the landowners, who determined that Dee had found a Mammoth. The Allemand/Byrd family who owned the land (and the bones, by default) donated them to the Tate Museum. During the next four years, more than 300 mammoth bones were recovered from the site.
While most visitors come to see Dee in person, they're quickly impressed with the rest of the museum!
In Dee's shadow, you'll find all sorts of specimens, from fossilized turtle shells to dino bones, to a Hadrosaurus!
Stan the T. Rex is on display... partially. You'll be able to get an up-close look at his head and gigantic teeth.
I'm not sure how anyone can go face to face with one of these enormous skulls and think Jurassic Park was a good idea.
Keep an eye out for Wyoming's gemstone, Jade, on the museum walls.
The North Wall is lined with minerals and stones found in the state, and you'll learn about the way these beautiful gems were formed over thousands of years.
You can even check out Lee Rex, the only T. Rex found in Wyoming that's stayed here.
After all, there's no place like home! Lee is on display in the new Rex Annex, and you'll have to ask a member of the staff for a tour.
If touring the Tate Geological Museum has inspired you, check out their gift shop, where you can take home fossil excavating kits of your own.
The entire team at the Tate is dedicated to making sure you go home from your visit with a head full of dino knowledge — and they are great at teaching guests all about our prehistoric past.
The Tate Geological Museum is located on the campus of Casper College, at 125 College Dr., Casper, WY 82601. The GPS will take you to the College Entrance. To find the museum follow these directions: From the base of Casper College, get onto Casper Mountain Road and go south (uphill). Go through the stoplight (wait for it to turn green), continue uphill (south), past the road to the right that leads into the college and then take the next road on the right. The Tate Museum is right in front of you, a bit to the right. Look for the life-size T. rex statue in front of the museum.
The museum is free to the public and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
After you fall in love with dinos in Casper, head up to Thermopolis where you can join the Wyoming Dinosaur Center on a real, live dig! This Fascinating Prehistoric Destination In Wyoming Is Perfect For Your Next Outing and everyone in the family will have the time of their lives.
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