Foster Preparation Laboratory

The preparation laboratory is dedicated to the cleaning and stabilization of fossil specimens as well as their restoration and repair. The laboratory is equipped with a wide range of tools, including air scribes, rotary tools, and air abraders.

With 24 workstations outfitted with hookups for electric and pneumatic equipment, this laboratory can accommodate multiple projects simultaneously. The lab also serves as a space for research, teaching, and training our students and volunteers.

Visitors can watch the preparation process through large windows along the main wall.

Have a love for fossils? Live in the Black Hills area? Volunteer at the Foster Preparation Laboratory!

Contact the lab manager for more information! 

Lab Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm

Closed Holidays


Summer Hours

(beginning Memorial Day)

Monday-Saturday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Closed: Sundays and Independence Day

Winter Hours

(beginning Labor Day)

Monday-Saturday: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM 
Closed: Sundays and Federal Holidays

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