GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History will celebrate the opening of its new featured exhibit “A T. rex Named Sue” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 with family fun including a fossil dig and other dinosaur-themed activities.

Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with museum researchers and representatives from fossil clubs, sample McDonald’s iced coffee while meeting Ronald McDonald, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and see University of Florida mascots Albert and Alberta from noon to 1 p.m.

“Because our state was underwater while dinosaurs lived, this is a rare chance for Floridians to glimpse the lost world of Tyrannosaurus rex right here in Gainesville,” said Florida Museum educator Tiffany Ireland. “It’s also important for children to speak with scientists and learn how their research can affect them.”

Other opening day activities include an outdoor fossil dig, the opportunity to leave chalk footprints in front of the museum, and paleontology, ornithology and other displays from museum scientists and various community organizations. Children can also learn about the biomechanics of T. rex through games and activities in the museum’s classrooms. Refreshments from High Springs Orchard and Bakery will be available for purchase.

Other upcoming museum events to complement the exhibit include a presentation and discussion at 2 p.m. Jan. 31 with Florida State University professor of anatomy and vertebrate paleobiology Gregory Erickson. On Feb. 14, adults ages 18 and older can spend the evening of Valentine’s Day playing trivia games and exploring the exhibit at the Florida Museum during “’A T. rex Named Sue’ Loves You.” Pre-registration is required for the Valentine’s Day program, which costs $10 per person or $15 per couple and is free for University of Florida students with a valid Gator 1 card and museum members.

“A T. rex Named Sue” presents the story of “Sue,” the largest, most complete and best-preserved T. rex ever unearthed. The exhibit features a life-size, 42-foot-long cast of the dinosaur and family-friendly interactive components exploring the paleontology that has helped scientists reconstruct Sue’s life and legacy. Visitors to “A T. rex Named Sue” can come face-to-face with the largest T. rex ever discovered, touch casts of Sue’s bones, uncover fossils in a dig pit and learn about Sue’s movement, vision and sense of smell.

While opening day activities are free, admission to “A T. rex Named Sue” is $7.50 for adults ($6.50 for Florida residents, seniors and college students); $4.50 for ages 3-17 and free to museum members and University of Florida students with a valid Gator 1 card.

The Florida Museum will display the exhibit through Sept. 13.

This exhibition was created by The Field Museum, Chicago, and made possible through the generosity of McDonald’s Corporation.

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Writer: Katina Prokos, kprokos@flmnh.ufl.edu
Source: Tiffany Ireland, tireland@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2061
Media contact: Paul Ramey, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2054