After five years of work, the fossil hall in the National Museum of Natural History will reopen on June 8. It had been closed all of that time while undergoing a $125 million renovation.
The fossil hall, of course, is known for its dinosaurs and other large prehistoric animals. One of the main attractions is a Tyrannosaurus rex standing over a Triceratops it has slain and is about to devour. Other attractions include a Diplodocus and a wooly mammoth. Many of the larger fossils are arranged along the hall’s central axial, while other exhibits can be found in side alleys.
The somewhat tree-like arrangement of exhibits ensures that visitors will see something awe-inspiring, regardless of any time constraints. People who have less than an hour to spend in the museum, for example, can stay in the central area, while people with more time can explore the side alleys.
The side alleys include the museum’s oldest fossils, interactive touchscreen displays devoted to topics like the evolution of birds, and videos about the extinction of the dinosaurs. Visitors can also enjoy immersive dioramas called “mini-worlds” that can be seen from different angles and depict the lives of different creatures. One fascinating interactive display is “Your Body Through Time,” which covers such topics as why animals keep their brains and most of their sensory organs in their heads. “Will You Become A Fossil?” is an interactive game that lets children explore the process of fossilization.
The exhibits are arranged chronologically. The designers expect most people to enter through the Rotunda. If they do, they will be traveling backward in time from the first appearance of primitive humans through the dinosaurs and even further back. The exhibits will show how Earth changed over the eons and how it was affected by climate change and mass extinctions.
The Atrium Café was also renovated and will be open for business. It is now home to a 52-foot long replica of Carcharoceles megalodon, the infamous prehistoric shark. The café serves snacks, drinks, and sandwiches, including “the Meg,” an Italian sub.
Admission to the fossil hall is free. While the hours are usually 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., they will be extended to 7:30 p.m. through the end of June. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday will continue to have extended hours up through August.
