The Gray Fossil Site has become a much more significant site than anyone could have expected. Not only has it been a great source of local paleontological research, but it is also one of the only fossil excavation sites still left in the United States.
“Gray Fossil Site is the hidden treasure in this local area,” says Sarah Mullersman, an education coordinator at ETSU’s Natural History Museum.
The world is keeping their eyes on the Gray Fossil Site.
The Gray Fossil Site was discovered in 2000 during the course of a Tennessee Department of Transportation highway construction.
Geologists soon started to investigate on the site and have discovered more than 10,000 specimens of Miocene Epoch (4.5 to 7 million years ago) so far.
This includes some significant findings like the complete skeleton of a red panda and moon flower plant fossils, which used to be only found in Asia.
Even though it has dug up less than 1 percent of the entire site, Gray Fossil Site has the world’s most fossil tapirs.
The Gray Fossil Museum, officially known as the East Tennessee State University and General Shale Brick Natural History Museum and Visitor Center, displays some of the fossil finds from the Gray Fossil Site.
The main exhibit is free of admission and opens daily 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A guided tour of the site is offered to show guests the workers digging away at the new fossils they have found.
The tour fee is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for children. ETSU students receive $1 off adult admission.
Mullersman emphasized that students should keep their eyes up to special events and lectures.
There are traveling exhibits every four months.
Every two months, there is Fossil Identification Night where people bring their own fossils or rocks and one of the paleontologists at the museum identifies them.
The museum is opening up a lab for new volunteers next year January.
Volunteers can touch real fossils and learn how to find them in the sediments.
The museum is recruiting volunteers. The volunteers are assigned as tour guides, to help out with programs or to work at the front desk with visitors.
They will be able to work in the preparation lab in January 2011.
For more information on volunteering, you can contact Jessi Webb by phone at 423-139-3640 or by e-mail at webbjr1@etsu.edu.
The museum also offers internships to college students.
Students can work in collections, education, or marketing. Any student who has a genuine interest in science or museum studies can apply.
The difference between volunteering and internships is that interns are more focused on creating projects.
“Museum work is hard to break into,” said Mullersman. “Even for the students who may want to work in an art or history museum, it is still good to have a experience in any type of museum.”
Applicants should contact the museum directly by toll free 866-202-6233 or info@grayfossillmuseum.org.
The museum has Federal Work Study programs as well.
More information about upcoming events is available on the museum official website at http://www.grayfossilmuseum.com, or their facebook page, and also on ETSU calendar.
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