* Be sure to read the posts leading up to this post – This a visual chronicle of the arrival of one of largest temporary exhibits at the Florida Museum of Natural History *
It took museum staff, fabrications and exhibits crew a week to construct Sue under the guidance of productions supervisor Michael Paha, from the Field Museum in Chicago (where the original Sue skeleton is on display). With ladders, a fork lift and brute strength Sue’s skeleton cast was hoisted in pieces and bolted together. The skull was mounted last with local media on hand to record the occasion. More than once members of the crew constructing Sue commented on the awesomeness of what will probably be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them.
Staff and crew will continue to prepare the rest of the exhibit, including a dig pit with rubber mulch and bone casts for visitors to dig in. A T-rex Named Sue will officially open to the public this Saturday, January 24, 2015, at 10 a.m. The museum will hold an opening celebration that day with experts and tables for visitors to interact with.
Florida Museum photos by Kristen Grace & Gabby Nicholas