Utah Field House of Natural History

Museum Rentals T he museum, which includes a large rotunda, exhibit halls, classroom, theater and garden, may be rented separately or in its entirety for public or private functions. Please inquire at the visitor information desk for cost and availability. Park Guidelines Your park fees provide for the care, protection and enhancement of this park. Please observe the following park regulations to ensure everyone’s visit is pleasant. Park Location Please leave food and drink outside. The park is located on US Highway 40 in downtown Vernal, near the junction of US Highway 191. Operating Hours (Subject to change) Pets are prohibited from the museum. Service animals are allowed. Summer: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily Fall: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Winter/Spring: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday Children must be supervised at all times. Running or rough play within the museum can damage displays, result in injury and disrupt others’ enjoyment of the museum. Closed Sundays October - March Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day Please do not climb on or touch any of the museum or garden models. Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum Address Inquiries To: Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum 496 East Main Street Vernal, UT 84078 (435) 789–3799 utahfieldhouse@utah.gov or Utah State Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 146001 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6001 (801) 538-7220 stateparks.utah.gov Utah State Parks Mission: To enhance the quality of life by preserving and providing natural, cultural and recreational resources for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations. Vernal Visitor Information Center C onveniently located inside the museum, a free visitor center allows our guests to get all the necessary information to fulfill their adventure in the Vernal area. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is available year-round to answer questions and help enhance your visit. Visitors can get up-to-date information about attractions, recreational opportunities, food, lodging, as well as local events. Scan the QR code with your mobile device to visit the park website. facebook Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/utahfieldhouse1948 Information contained in this brochure was accurate at the time of printing. Policies, facilities, fees, hours and regulations, etc., change as mandated. For updated information please contact the park. Printed on recycled paper 01/20 Utah State Parks UTAH FIELD HOUSE OF NATURAL HISTORY T he Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum sits amidst some of the most spectacular geologic and paleontologic resources on earth. This vast wealth of resources drew scientists from all over the world for research and collection. However, it did not escape the notice of former Ashley National Forest Supervisor A.G. Nord, that most of these priceless fossils were leaving the Uinta Basin for destinations elsewhere. It was through his vision of retaining these items locally that the Utah Field House of Natural History arose. Share in one billion years of history revealed in the museum and explore the story of Utah’s ancient past. Touch actual rock and fossil specimens, including a 150 millionyear-old dinosaur bone. Activities Dinosaur Garden isitors begin their Uinta Fossil Journey in the rotunda and are greeted by Diplodocus, a dinosaur 90 feet long from tip to tail. After taking a close look at this giant, visitors proceed to the theater where their discovery of the Uinta Basin continues. he dinosaur garden is home to 14 life-size prehistoric animals. Ever wonder just how big a woolly mammoth was, or if the tyrant of the Mesozoic, Tyrannosaurus rex was really so terrible? The answer is just a garden visit away. T V Theater Fluorescent Minerals Room D O id you ever wonder what it would be like to participate in a fossil dig? What types of tools would you use, what might the area look like, and which fossils might be found? A short film, Stories in Stone, answers these questions by sharing a day in the field at two dig sites. The story features volunteers and scientists who helped excavate fossils for exhibits at the Utah Field House. Morrison Dig Site and Fossil Lab A fter leaving the theater, visitors proceed into the sights and sounds of the Morrison Formation. This chapter of Earth’s story has produced many dinosaurs familiar to us. Listening to sounds of an actual dig, visitors take up excavation tools and proceed to uncover fossil bones. Several of the most recent and best dinosaur books are available in the lab study area. Younger visitors enjoy a visit to the Children’s Lab, designed to both amuse and educate with a variety of toys, books and puzzles. A small theater area encourages children to make up their own Jurassic stories. guide Dinosaurs, Fossils and Rocks, Oh My!, created to assist elementary, middle and high school educators teach difficult subjects such as geology, the rock cycle, fossilization and dinosaurs. ne of the most popular exhibits is the Rock and Mineral Room. Vibrant, glowing colors are produced when minerals within the rocks are exposed to ultraviolet light. Flip the switch again to view the rocks in their usual manner and be amazed by how ordinary they look. Rocks in Time Jurassic Hall T he Rocks In Time exhibit is designed to make the science of geology more user-friendly to visitors. Different “chapters” of Earth’s story are displayed in a mural covering one entire hallway from floor to ceiling. Many rocks and fossils on display compliment understanding of this story through both touch and sight. F rom the dig site and lab, visitors wander back to the Morrison Formation as it looked 150 million years ago. View several fossils, some that are unique and rare, such as the plate arrangement of Stegosaurus stenops, or the nearly complete Haplocanthosaurus, a sauropod skeleton known from less than five specimens. Eocene Gallery V isitors move forward in time 100 million years as they travel from the Jurassic Hall into the Eocene Gallery. The gallery features rock layers found primarily south of town. These rocks were fomed by rivers and streams flowing into a vast lake named Unita. Visitors will marvel at the wall of leaves, some so exquisitely preserved that all the minute veins are still visible. View the fossils of turtles, crocodiles, small primates and the massive beast Uintatherium; a six-horned saber tusked giant. Education E ducational programs are available to public and private groups. It is recommended that requests be made two weeks prior to the desired date. Contact the Curator of Education for more information or to schedule a program. Two junior scientist programs are available for purchase through our gift shop. Children ages three to 13 will enjoy learning about the museum through a series of fun, science-based activities. A junior scientist patch is awarded upon completion of each booklet. Check out our teacher