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The Montshire Museum of Science forges and empowers lifelong learners through engagement with science.

The Montshire Museum of Science is an interactive science center in Norwich, Vermont, with more than 150 hands-on exhibits relating to the natural and physical sciences, ecology, and technology. Outdoors, visitors can explore nature trails and exhibits on wind, water, and sound in David Goudy Science Park. Visiting exhibitions, educational programs, and special events are offered throughout the year.

The Montshire Museum of Science is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is supported by admission, membership, grants, and charitable contributions.

Aug
20
2014

Release of “Dinosaur 13” Creates Buzz about “A T. rex Named Sue” at the Montshire Museum

Norwich, Vt, August 20, 2014— No dinosaur in the world compares to SUE—the largest, most complete, and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered. The release of the documentary Dinosaur13 last week has sparked new interest in A T. rex Named Sue at the Montshire Museum of Science through September 7, 2014.

The exhibition, A T. rex Named Sue, has been amazing visitors at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont since it opened May 17, and setting new attendance records. Featuring SUE the T. rex, the exhibition brings to life in a visceral experience combining visual, tactile, audible, and aromatic activities with compelling educational content.

SUE was a Tyrannosaurus rex that roamed North America about 67 million years ago, one of the last dinosaur species and one of the largest flesh-eaters ever to have inhabited the Earth. The “tyrant lizard king,” with its extraordinarily powerful jaws and massive serrated steak-knife teeth, still dominates popular perceptions of the Age of Dinosaurs.

The story of SUE's discovery begins in the summer of 1990. At the time, fossil hunter Sue Hendrickson was working at a dig site near Faith, South Dakota, with a commercial fossil-collecting team from the Black Hills Institute, led by Peter Larson.

Early on the morning of August 12, the team discovered that one of their trucks had a flat tire, so they headed to town for repairs. Sue elected to stay behind, and instead, she hiked out to an eroding bluff she’d noticed several days earlier.

Within minutes, she spied some bone fragments that had rolled down the incline. Looking up, she spotted several vertebrae (backbones) sticking out of the bluff face.

Sue immediately identified them as the bones of a large carnivorous dinosaur and suspected that they might be from a Tyrannosaurus rex. When the team returned, they confirmed her find and promptly named it “SUE” in her honor.

Dinosaur13 is the true tale of the ten-year battle with the U.S. government, powerful museums, Native American tribes, and competing paleontologists that found Peter Larson of the Black Hills Institute not only fighting to keep their dinosaur but fighting for their freedom as well.

A T. rex Named Sue was created by the Field Museum, Chicago, and made possible through the generosity of McDonald’s Corporation. Local sponsorship is provided by Geokon, as well as Lake Sunapee Bank, and King Arthur Flour. Media sponsorship is provided by WCAX and NHPR.

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