History’s greatest predators and mightiest herbivores stalk the halls of the Quinte West Museum of Natural History.
An Euplocephalus skeleton on display at the Quinte Museum of Natural History.
The museum, located on Dufferin Avenue, held its grand opening on Thursday and revealed its many dinosaur skeletons to the community. The exhibition consists of several complete skeletons of various species, and skulls of many more as well.
The skeletons were sourced from various regions with partnership from Research Casting International that operates a laboratory in Trenton where they reassemble fossilized skeletons. Because genuine skeletons are fragile, the ones on display are full scale replicas of the originals.
Jane, a juvenile T-Rex, stands among the tallest of the specimens on display and was a rare find. Jane was found as a nearly complete skeleton according to Peter May, President of Research Casting International. May says that skeletons are often found incomplete, so it takes multiple finds to discover the entire bone structure.
A T-Rex (left) and Allosaurus (right) skull on display at the Quinte Museum of Natural History.
“When they die, scavengers can come in and take the bone or other animals can eat it, so it’s very rare to have a complete skeleton.” May said.
The museum opened after a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by Mayor Jim Harrison and several members of council.
“It’s going to be very rewarding to the tourism in this city and this area,” said Mayor Harrison. “Of course that means people will come here to spend time and spend money.”
Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the Quinte Museum of Natural History.
The current exhibit is planned to last until the end of the year, with the museum making plans to bring in new specimens.
More information can be found at the Museum’s webpage here.
