Big Horn County is set to open a new dinosaur museum, featuring discoveries made in the local area. The Wild West Dino Den will display casts of four significant fossils, including Big Al, a well-preserved juvenile Allosaurus.
Local Pride
The museum is a source of pride for the community, with many residents eager to see the dinosaurs return to the area. Erik Kvale, a retired geologist, said, “We have some of the most famous dinosaurs in the world that are leaving our state… It bothers some people.”
The museum will also feature educational displays, taking visitors back to what the area looked like in the Jurassic period. The exhibit will be temporarily housed in the historic Shell schoolhouse, which has been refurbished by the community.
Economic Boost
The museum is expected to bring in significant revenue for the area, with an estimated 30,000 visitors annually. This could generate $500,000,000 in local income and $45,000 in local taxes.
The project has been made possible by donations and the efforts of local dino enthusiasts. The museum will provide a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about the area’s rich paleontological history and see the dinosaurs up close.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
