Prehistoric Museum, Utah State University Eastern

The Prehistoric Museum creates understanding and appreciation of natural and cultural processes that formed the geologic, fossil and prehistoric human records found in eastern Utah. We do this through educational and interpretive programs based upon our academic research, preservation programs, authentic exhibits, and the creative efforts of our staff and community.

Exhibits

Horns & Tusks: Ceratopsians and the Evolution of Bizarre Headgear

For a limited time only, the Prehistoric Museum at USU Eastern in Price is pleased to host a special exhibit: Horns & Tusks: Ceratopsians and the Evolution of Bizarre Headgear. Featuring over 50 odd, outlandish, and sometimes even comical animals ranging from the time before the dinosaurs up through the last Ice Age, this exhibit will be fun for the whole family.

Ceratopsian dinosaurs, the focus of the exhibit, are related to the well-known Triceratops but each has a unique set of features on their skulls, including frills and horns of different shapes and sizes. Come explore the diversity of decorative dinosaur skull structures with several full-size skeletons and life-sized sculptures of ceratopsian dinosaurs, an anatomical model of a Utahceratops skull, and more. Then compare the ceratopsians to dozens of skulls, skeletons, and sculptures from other oddly-adorned dinosaurs, ancient mammals, and even modern animals to see just how weird things can get.

Horns & Tusks comes to the museum from Gaston Design Inc. of Fruita, CO (www.gastondesign.com). Their founder, Rob Gaston, discovered the Prehistoric Museum’s own Gastonia burgei, and has a long history of creating engaging, dynamic exhibits. He and his team created several of the mounts on display in the Prehistoric Museum, including the large ankylosaur skeletons that greet you at the top of the stairs. Gaston’s Animal Armor traveling exhibit, first displayed right here in Price, was recently hosted by the esteemed Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

The Prehistoric Museum is fortunate to once again be the first to host this brand-new exhibit before it hits the road for a global tour of museums. You won’t want to miss it! Horns & Tusks opens to the public on July 2, 2022 and runs through the end of the year. Access to special exhibits is included with general admission to the museum. The Prehistoric Museum is open Sunday – Wednesday from 9 am – 5 pm and Thursday – Saturday from 9 am – 7 pm.

Participation in Museum Day is open to any tax-exempt or governmental museum or cultural venue on a voluntary basis. Smithsonian magazine encourages museum visitation, but is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of the participating museums and cultural venues, and does not subsidize museums that participate.