Achievement Unlocked: Paleontology Prep Lab Funded!

It has been a big year for the Paleontology Department at the Sternberg Museum. In the beginning of 2017, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation awarded Fort Hays State University’s Sternberg Museum of Natural History a matching grant of $81,000 to renovate the museum’s fossil preparation lab. Expanding the preparation lab benefits all who work, visit, volunteer and learn at the museum. The preparation lab is where staff, volunteers and students clean, stabilize and repair fossils for long-term preservation before they are ready for research or exhibit. It is a fundamental part of the museum, and this is a fantastic opportunity for us to improve how we serve the public. Enlarging and updating the prep lab will allow us to expand our educational resources, create new exhibits, train students and undertake scientific research -- all important aspects of the museum’s mission.

We are thrilled to share that we have reached our $81,000 match! 

In addition to proceeds raised from the 2016 and 2017 Museum Galas, we had 58 donors come forward to see the lab come to life. This includes a very generous donation from Mike and Pam Everhart. Mike is the Adjunct Curator of Paleontology at the Sternberg Museum, author of the book “Oceans of Kansas” (second edition coming soon!), and author of the website by the same name. He and Pam have been active in Kansas paleontology for decades. Museum scientists and staff are now working with the FHSU architect and builders to design the space. Kick off of renovations is tentatively scheduled to begin in the fall to expand the lab and redesign parts of the Cretaceous exhibits to incorporate a larger lab. Once the lab is constructed and fitted with updated equipment, we will be able to train students and volunteers, host workshops, and have a hands-on lab for our after school and summer camp programs! 

Check out a recent interview with our Curator of Paleontology, Dr. Laura Wilson, on projects being undertaken by the Paleontology Department. 

If you didn’t have a chance to donate during the fundraising campaign, we are still accepting donations to expand ventilation capabilities in the lab and to fund students to prep, train volunteers, and run workshops. Businesses and individuals can make a tax-deductible contribution to the effort by contacting the Fort Hays State University Foundation: http://foundation.fhsu.edu/donate/ (select “Other” under Designation and specify Sternberg Museum), (785) 628-5620, or foundation@fhsu.edu. More information about the project can be found online (http://sternberg.fhsu.edu/paleopreplab/) or by contacting Dr. Laura Wilson, Curator of Paleontology (lewilson6@fhsu.edu; 785.639.6192).