National Fossil Day
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About this event
Join us for National Fossil Day, an annual celebration initiated by the National Park Service, designed to highlight the value of paleontology and the importance of preserving fossils for future generations. Meet scientists, see rarely displayed items from our collections, and take part in hands-on activities, all while spending the day exploring our world famous fossils including SUE the T. rex and the Chicago Archaeopteryx!
The Field Museum is free on Wednesdays for Illinois Residents.
Featured Activities
Collection Displays
See rarely displayed items from our geologic collections, including dinosaurs, ice age mammals, tully monsters, fossil plants, and more! Think you found a dinosaur bone or a mammoth tooth? Bring your geology finds to this event for scientists to ID!
Fossil Activities
Stop by activity stations in Stanley Field Hall and dig deeper into the fascinating world of fossils. Try your hand at a fossil sorting game to see if you can identify real fossils. Examine a life-size replica of a T. rex skull and discover how it can tell us how the dinosaur lived and died. Sketch alongside artist-in-residence Peggy McNamara, and students from the Art Institute of Chicago, as they demonstrate the art of scientific illustration by unique fossils across the museum. And much more!
Meet a Scientist
The Chicago Archaeopteryx is a rare Jurassic fossil that reveals the link between dinosaurs and birds. The Field Museum is now one of the few places on Earth to see a real specimen of this iconic fossil. Meet Akiko Shinya, Chief Preparator of Fossil Vertebrates, and Connie Van Beek, Preparator of Fossil Vertebrates, and discover how they prepared the Chicago Archaeopteryx at the Field Museum for study and display.
PlayLab PlayDate: Storytime and Craft
From 11am-12pm, families with 2-6 year olds are invited to a free, drop-in storytime session in the Crown Family PlayLab celebrating National Fossil Day! Storytime will feature the fascinating world of fossils--what they are, where they come from, and how they can be used to learn about life long ago.
