Museum Offers a Sneak Peak at Fossils

Eric Scott, Curator of Paleontology at the San Bernardino County Museum, will give a gallery talk on Saturday, February 4, at 2:00 p.m. “Sneak Peeks II – Fossils in the Hall of Geological Wonders” is free with museum admission.

“The museum’s new Hall of Geological Wonders, planned to open in 2007, will showcase fossils from throughout San Bernardino County and the southwest,” said Scott.  “We’ll present fossils from our collections with a strong emphasis on geology as well as paleontology.”

Given this exciting opportunity to display fossils never before seen by the public, curators from the Division of Geological Sciences are currently combing their extensive collections, selecting specimens that illustrate the richness and diversity of regional geology and paleontology.  Scott’s talk will take visitors on a tour of many of these finds, including fossils from ancient Paleozoic seas, the Barstow Fossil Beds, Cajon Pass, and various Ice Age lakes and caves in the Mojave Desert.  Scott’s discussion will highlight the reasons behind each selection, emphasizing the importance of the fossils in the planned design concept for the Hall of Geological Wonders.  “We’re having a blast with this,” he enthuses, “and we want our visitors to share the fun with us as we move forward.”

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays and holiday Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $6 (adult), $5 (student or senior), and $4 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

The San Bernardino County Museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 / TDD/TTY: (909) 792-1462.