Most Tennesseans Have Never Heard Of This Fascinating Natural History Museum
By Chris Dodge|Published September 28, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
Pretty much every kid goes through a dinosaur phase — I know I had one of those phases many years ago, but I am still curious about those towering lizards to this day. I’m not alone; there are lots of adults who remain passionate about these ancient beasts, too. They are intriguing, after all: their size and lore, their prehistoric world, and the mystery of things long since passed is captivating. Is your curiosity piqued? Head to Earth Experience in Murfreesboro, TN, a small but impactful museum filled with specimens from our prehistoric past.
For Allan Brown, the excitement of dinosaurs and this time in history never never left him.
The exuberance he had as a kid led him to (ahem) dig deep into the studies of archaeology and paleontology. His passion just kept growing for mysterious creatures of the past and one day he was invited to a dig site in Montana. He was instantly hooked and, as a result, amassed quite a collection of fossils over the years and wanted to share them with the world. So in 2014, he opened a small but unique museum right in the middle of Tennessee.
Earth Experience is available for anyone interested in the fine science behind the mysterious world of old.
The museum features an impressive collection of gems, minerals, and dinosaur bones but there are about four times as much in storage. Unlike many museums, Earth Experience is packed full of dinosaur bones you can see, touch, and experience.
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Many of the displays are casts made from the originals, but there are also plenty of real specimens inside too.
It is so fascinating to think of these extinct species and to see rhinos with massive horns, or enormous beasts that once walked the earth. These are just a few of the examples of what you will find inside Earth Experience.
Frank is a skeleton of a 38-foot-long T. rex! Not only is this dinosaur the king of all of all dinosaurs, but Frank is also decorated during certain seasons. I don’t know about you, but seeing a Tyrannosaurus rex wearing a Santa hat makes him seem less terrifying...
Not many ancient creatures have been found in the soil of middle Tennessee, but one prized fossil has quite a story behind it.
The remains of a Sabertooth Tiger were found right in Nashville and that magnificent discovery led to the inspiration for the Predators mascot. You can see the very fossil that gave our NHL team their mascot right in this small museum in Murfreesboro.
The museum is also an active workspace for scientists and paleontologists.
Almost everyone who works in the museum has been out on a dinosaur dig or is a trained professional, and every door is open while guests are there. You can watch them work on cleaning out a recent find or making jewelry from gemstones that were mined. They are available to answer any questions and are happy to show you what they are working on. This museum is an interactive way to inspire people and find interest in these fields of study!
Earth Experience in Murfreesboro, TN, is a great way to dig into the past and learn about the wonderful world found underground. The mysteries of the ancient world are always being studied and this museum offers guests a great chance to get in on the exciting fun. For more information and to plan your visit, please visit the Earth Experience website.
A big part of science is studying and learning from others that have come before you. So if you fancy yourself inspiring paleontology, check out these books to get you started.
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