Contact: Jeff Morgan, Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov, (515) 281-3858

(DES MOINES) – Iowans and others are invited to join State Historical Museum Curator Bill Johnson for a hands-on introduction to fossil interpretation and the preparation of a fossil fish from the Green River Formation of Wyoming.

“Fossil Fish: Investigations into the Natural History of an Eocene Lake” will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 28 at the State Historical Museum, 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines’ Historic East Village. Admission is $55 at www.iowatix.com. The event is limited to 20 participants ages 12 and older. For more information, call 515-281-4129 or visit www.iowahistory.org.

Through an artifact-centered discussion, participants will investigate environmental and biological interpretation of paleontological material. Exploring modern animals and fossil specimens, participants will better understand the conditions of life in the geologic past. Students will work directly with simple techniques to prepare their own fossil specimen.

The State Historical Society of Iowa is a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and serves as a trustee of Iowa’s historical legacy and as an advocate for understanding Iowa’s past. Its dual mission of preservation and education involves identifying, recording, collecting, preserving, managing and providing access to Iowa’s historical resources. As an advocate of understanding Iowa’s past, SHSI educates Iowans of all ages, conducts and stimulates research, disseminates information, and encourages and supports historical preservation and education efforts of others throughout the state.

###

Return to What's New Section