On Tuesday, Feb. 12, the ETSU and General Shale Brick Natural History Museum and Visitor Center at the Gray Fossil Site will mark Darwin Day, a worldwide celebration of science and humanity centered on the day of Charles Darwin’s birth in 1809.
Darwin Day highlights the evolutionist’s life and discoveries, and the fossil museum invites the public to take a walk in his shoes, offering extended hours for lectures and activities.
At 4:30 p.m., the museum will unveil an addition to its current exhibit that will showcase Darwin’s impact on science and evolution.
Throughout the day, a series of videos with informational handouts concerning Charles Darwin and his work will be available for visitors in the Eastman Credit Union Multi-Media Classroom.
The day will conclude with free public lectures by three ETSU scientific professionals. At 5 p.m., Dr. Blaine Schubert, vertebrate curator at the museum and an assistant professor of geology, will focus on “Charles Darwin: The Life of an Extraordinary Scientist.”
Beginning at 6 p.m., Dr. Mike Zavada, a renowned paleobotanist and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, will discuss “The Major Events in Plant Evolution.”
Also, Dr. Steven Wallace, director of the Don Sundquist Center of Excellence in Paleontology, will speak at 7 p.m. about the “Evolution of the Panda’s Thumb.”
The ETSU and GSB Natural History Museum and Visitor Center at the Gray Fossil Site is located less than two miles from Exit 13 on I-26.
The museum is open from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week, with hours currently extended on Tuesdays.
To request special assistance for those with disabilities, call the museum toll-free at 1-866-202-6223. For additional information, call the museum or visit www.grayfossilmuseum.org.

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