Ever wonder where Dallas keeps its dinosaurs? That’s right the Dallas Museum of Natural History. We are standing before an institution with roots stretching back to 1936.
The Dallas Museum of Natural History started as part of the Texas Centennial Exposition. It was one of the region’s first natural history museums. Over the years it evolved. In 2006, it merged with The Science Place and the Dallas Children’s Museum. This merger formed the Museum of Nature & Science. In 2012, the museum found a new home in Victory Park. Now it is known as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. However its original collection belongs to the Dallas Museum of Natural History.
Inside, the Dallas Museum of Natural History boasts an impressive collection. It contains over 280000 specimens. The museum actively expands scientific knowledge with working archaeologists and paleontologists. It isn’t just about repackaging old information. The museum is about discovering new things.
One highlight is the world’s largest exhibition of Texas wildlife habitats. Another is the first mounted Texas dinosaur. These exhibits showcase Texas’ vast natural diversity. They document the state’s rich history.
The Dallas Museum of Natural History has always been a hub for learning. It attracts naturalists, geologists, paleontologists, and anthropologists. Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors pass through its doors. This includes 40000 schoolchildren who participate in educational programs.
Imagine walking through halls filled with life-size dioramas. These dioramas realistically display Texas’ native plants, animals, and birds. You might see beavers, opossums, armadillos, bison, and deer. Keep an eye out for the rare jaguar from South Texas. Bird lovers can admire eagles, hawks, wild turkeys, and yellow-throated prairie chickens. Don’t miss the large alligator found in the Trinity River.
Venture to the second level. Here you will find dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. One display features a 15-foot-high skeleton of an Ice Age mammoth. This mammoth was also discovered near the Trinity River. Several assembled skeletons of dinosaurs are also displayed. These creatures once roamed prehistoric Texas. The museum aims to give you a sense of how these creatures looked and moved.
A lesser-known fact is the museum’s basement. It holds a large collection of stuffed African and Asian game animals. These animals were donated by a wealthy Dallas businessman’s widow. Unfortunately, there is no space to display them. The basement also houses a machine that freeze-dries small reptiles and mammals. This process preserves them for study and display.
Before we move on be sure to visit the gift shops. You can find educational toys, books, postcards, and souvenirs. These items help you remember your visit to the Dallas Museum of Natural History. Take a piece of natural history home with you.