Museum Background
The Museum of Geology is a teaching and research facility with collections of more than 250,000 vertebrate fossils and 6,000 minerals. The collections emphasize the fossils and minerals of the Black Hills region. White River Badlands mammalian fossils, marine and non-marine Jurassic and Cretaceous reptiles and mammals, and Black Hills pegmatite minerals are among the important collections. Some of the more outstanding specimens displayed for the general public include a pregnant oreodont, a complete titanothere skeleton, mosasaur and plesiosaur skeletons, and a systematic collection of minerals from all over the world.The Museum of Geology had its start in the late 1800's with the donation of Mr. G. E. Bailey's mineral and fossil collection to the Dakota School of Mines (now called the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology). Over 5,000 specimens were accepted and formed the core of the school's collection for many years. The original collection was later enlarged due to the efforts of numerous people since this time. Many locally derived rocks from the pegmatite mines and fossils from the White River Badlands were collected and added to the collection. Spectacular dinosaurs and fierce-looking sea lizards (mosasaurs and plesiosaurs) recovered from terrestrial and marine Cretaceous rocks of South Dakota have also been added to the collection; some of which are currently displayed.While traditional exhibits and research collections continue to grow, the interpretative role of the Museum of Geology is expanding in a new museum for Rapid City called the Journey. Construction of the Journey began March 21, 1996, and opened May 18, 1997. The Journey celebrated its first year anniversary with the donation of a cast of a Camptosaurus skeleton, now on display. The Museum of Geology is currently working on assembling a cast of an Allosaurus skeleton, which will be put on display at the Journey in the near future. This new museum provides interpretation of 2.5 billion years of geologic and cultural history for the region. The Journey is a cooperative effort that includes the city of Rapid City, the State Archaeololgical Research Center, the Sioux Indian Museum, and the Minnelusa Pioneer Museum.
In addition, the success of Jim Martin's (Museum of Geology's Curator) intensive documentation of the marine fossils found along the Missouri River will be presented in a facility being developed in Chamberlain, South Dakota. Focus will include the marine Cretaceous, glaciation, and Lewis and Clark's exploration of the area. Funds are being raised and design work will begin in the near future.
The Museum to the People program will be working with area schools and
service clubs again in the fall of 1996. The aim of this outreach program
is to bring scientists to the school children so that they may have their
questions about geology and paleontology answered. For service clubs, the
Museum staff provides programs on current research work in the Museum.
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ACRE: The Museum of Geology is organized around four activities represented by the acronym ACRE.
Acquisition of specimens is done principally through field expeditions to collect specimens and attendant data. These data provide the placement of specimens in a geologic context, rock type, position in the sequence of rocks seen in the rocks of the region, and the relationship of specimens to one another. Field trips and extended expeditions that are part of the curricular offerings of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology play a major role in the acquisition of specimens.Curation of acquisitions starts with the preservation, preparation and conservation of specimens. Detailed notes and documentation are kept on the location of where the specimen was collected and the methods used to perserve and conserve the specimen.
Research into the significance of the specimens collected. This includes characterization of the variation, association, method of preservation, and distribution in time and space of each particular kind of species. These activities involve staff, students, and colleagues in the paleontological community.
Education involves taking the complexities
of research findings and presenting them to a variety of public groups.
This is done through exhibits developed by the students in the Paleontology
Masters program at SDSM&T, Field Paleontology students, Elderhostel
participants, SKILL students, area school children and interested adults,and
Museum volunteers. Public inquiries and ideas are exchanged by letter,
telephone, and internet.
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Museum Hours
Museum Hours and Phone Number: The exhibit portion of the Museum of Geology is open almost every day of the year; closing on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and Easter. During the academic year, the Museum is open:- 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday
- 9am - 4pm, Saturday
- 1pm - 4pm, Sunday
- 8am - 6pm, Monday through Saturday
- Noon - 6pm, Sunday
Location -- Map
