In its first year of existence, ETSU and General Brick Shale Natural History Museum at the Gray Fossil Site had more than double the number of visitors expected and has some expansion plans under way to help accommodate them all.
There was a lot to celebrate on the museum’s Sunday, Aug. 31, anniversary celebration, which itself brought in a crowd of about 400 visitors lured in part by half-price general admission, raffle prizes like fossilized turtles and free backpacks given away by museum sponsor Saturn Motor Co.
In its first year, 25,000 visitors and at most 50,000 visitors were expected, but as director Jeanne Zavada, noted, “we passed that mark (50,000) some time back,” and “finished the first year with 115,000 visitors.”
For year two, Zavada is aiming at a projected 150,000 visitors.
Special exhibits in the first year were equally intriguing. Those included Sue, the traveling T-rex exhibit, the soft-hearted “Scoop on Poop” exhibit based on a book by Dr. Wayne Lynch, which also brought the first live animals to the museum.
Another prize display is a full skeletal cast of a Red Panda, found at the Gray site. The cast is the only one in the world of its kind, Zavada noted.
And the real Red Panda skeleton, which was found in the “spoil pile,” the large collection of soil and sediment that was dug during the construction of the Museum itself, is at almost 70 percent completion.
There are touch-screen computers which allow for visitors to digitally take part in archeological work. The computer touch screens let visitors clean off fossils and rocks simulating what actual archeologists actually do when they use a number of brushes, knives and other devices to clean up the bones and teeth of ancient animals. The touch screens had been out of service for some time and Zavada noted how the original vendor was unable to fix this problem and that she was “very happy” that a new vendor came through and fixed the touch screen problem.
A major construction addition project that is being funded federally through grants by the Department of Transportation is already in the works. It will be a 6,000-square-foot annex that will feature a “wet lab” which allows visitors to get involved in even more hands-on educational and entertaining activities, Zavada said.
Along with that there will be an outdoor classroom that can be used for a multitude of learning events.
And last but not least it will include dining facilities for staff and visitors. “We have had only two vending machines for snacks and the closest fast food is over a mile and half away,” Zavada said.
This annex is still in the design phase, but Zavada expects that architects to be finished soon, so the plans can be offered to construction contractors. She expects this annex to at least take a year to be completed.
Currently under way is a picnic area. It is a personal endeavor by Zavada to add a very nice picnic area toward the front lawn of the museum grounds and possibly across the road to accompany more people.
The picnic area would feature playground equipment that has features prehistoric creatures and other ancient animal themes to keep with the Natural History Museum feel. Zavada received a grant from the East Tennessee Foundation to help fund this endeavor and she plans to keep this part of the museum open to the public.
Students interested in visiting the museum are treated to a free guided tour with your ETSU ID. Also if any students or faculty/staff would like to volunteer at the Musuem, which included many activities were you can get your hands dirty, should call Laurie Rousseau at (423) 439-3655.

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