Last updated: 9/24/2011
Gray, Tennessee
Street Address
1212 Suncrest DriveGray, TN 37615
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 9221Gray, TN 37615

Hours

Staff

Jeanne Zavada
phone: 423-439-3645
Jessica Evans
phone: 423-439-3644
Brett Woodward
phone: 423-439-3665
April Season Nye
phone: 423-439-3664
Brian Compton
phone: 423-439-3661
Shawn Haugrud
phone: 423-439-3661
Sarah Mullersman
phone: 423-439-3655
Emily Monroe
phone: 423-439-3640
Description
Education Annex Under Construction

Ground breaking for the education annex at the Gray Fossil Site began early March 2010. Our team of paleontologists monitored the ground moving process to keep an eye out for the discovery of more fossils. Dr. Wallace stated there were no major finds during this stage of construction.

Children and adults alike will have the opportunity to learn about natural history in an exciting and engaging environment with the new 7,000-square foot annex. The building will feature a rooftop outdoor classroom with a weather monitoring station, a cafe, an indoor wet lab, and a second outdoor classroom.

Conservation

Active fossil preparation lab and research collections facilities on location: Availabile To Other Institutions

Gray Fossil Site Patch Program

If you're curious about the fossil site and want to learn more, the Gray Fossil Site Patch Program is for you! Participants will dig out on the spoil piles, go behind the scenes in the Lab and Collections, excavate a plaster jacket in miniature, create a fossil cast, make a sinkhole in a cup, create their own trace fossils, and more! This program is open for participants in grades 1-3 and 4-6, and costs $10. The cost of the program includes a collectible Gray Fossil Site patch in your choice of either Tapir or Red Panda. The cost for adults who wish to participate in the program alongside their children is $5.

Birthday Party Rentals and Information

Please call museum office for available dates and times before submitting form. Contact Emily Monroe, 423-439-3640. We also do Overnight Birthday Parties!

Teacher Inservice Workshop

The 2011 Teacher In-Services focus on the science of the Gray Fossil Site by guiding you through various activities, teaching you about the history and discovery of the site, and helping you learn more about what makes our site special and unique. Activities will include an Introductory Presentation, Tour of the Museum Exhibits, a Behind the Scenes Tour of the Preparation Lab and the Collections Range, Wet Screening on the Fossil Site, Gray Fossil Site Sediment Picking, Surveying, Digging on the Spoil Piles, Casting, Sample Classroom Activities, and Feedback and Evaluation. Throughout the day we will focus on the activities that bring the fossils all the way from the site to you as a museum visitor. If you ever plan a visit to the museum in the future with your class or your family, your behind-the-scenes knowledge will be a great asset. *We will pay special attention to the ways that a fieldtrip to the museum correlates with the Tennesse Science Standards and the National Science Standards

Museum Shop

Gray Fossil Museum Shop is your place for official Gray Fossil Museum clothing and gifts.

Mission

ETSU’s Natural History Museum & Visitor Center introduces visitors to the 5-million year old Gray Fossil Site, discovered in 2000 by TDOT highway crews. The museum offers tours of an ongoing fossil dig, interactive exhibits, and education programs for people of all ages. The museum also features temporary traveling exhibits that change three times a year and is open daily 8:30 am until 5 pm except for 3 major holidays: Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Thanksgiving Day. For more information, visit www.grayfossilmusem.com or call toll-free 1-866-202-6223.

Artifact Collections

Pleistocene fossils from Saltville, Va and late Miocene Fossils from Gray Fossil Site, TN.

Educational Programs

Permanent and temporary exhibitions, teacher workshops, fossil site tours, summer camps, scout badge programs, educators guide, lectures

Services
Gift Shop
Online Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Restaurant
Group Tours
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

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Museum Trustee Association Spring Forum 2024

April 10 - 14, 2024

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Texas Association of Museums 2024 Lubock Annual Conference

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2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

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West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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