Burpee Museum of Natural History facts for kids
The Burpee Museum of Natural History, with the Solem Wing on the left and the Manny Mansion on the right
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| Established | 1942 |
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| Location | 737 North Main St. Rockford, Illinois |
| Type | Natural history |
| Public transit access |  RMTD |
The Burpee Museum of Natural History is a cool place to explore nature and history! It's located right by the Rock River in downtown Rockford, Illinois, USA. You can find it at 737 North Main Street.
Discover the Burpee Museum's History
The Burpee Museum first opened its doors on May 24, 1942. It was created as a special project to help people find jobs during a tough time. The museum complex is made up of four main buildings. These include the Manny Mansion, the Barnes Mansion, the Solem Wing, and the Water Lab.
The Solem Wing: Where the Fun Happens
The Solem Wing is the main part of the Burpee Museum that visitors get to explore. It was built in the winter of 1998. This wing holds all the amazing exhibits, plus meeting rooms and a gift shop. It also has the Mahlburg Auditorium for special events. The wing is named after Robert H. Solem, who was a big supporter of the museum.
The Manny Mansion: Classrooms and Offices
The Manny Mansion was built way back in 1852 and was once owned by John P. Manny. This building used to be the Burpee Art Museum. Now, it's connected to the Solem Wing. It's used for museum classrooms where you can learn new things and for offices where the staff works.
The Barnes Mansion: Administrative Hub
Before the museum expanded, everything was located in the Barnes Mansion. This mansion was built in 1893 and belonged to a businessman named William Fletcher Barnes. Today, the Barnes Mansion is used for meetings and the museum's main offices.
The Water Lab: Exploring the Rock River
The Water Lab is a special facility located right along the Rock River. Here, students from middle school through high school can collect water samples. They then analyze these samples to learn about the river's physical, chemical, and biological features.
Explore Amazing Museum Exhibits
The Burpee Museum has many exciting exhibits that take you on a journey through time and nature.
Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur
One of the most famous exhibits is "Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur." Jane (BMRP 2002.4.1) is a young Tyrannosaurus rex. Some scientists think she might be a different type of dinosaur called Nanotyrannus lancensis. She was found in Montana in 2001 by a team from the Burpee Museum. Jane is named after Jane Solem, a museum supporter.
After years of careful work, Jane's 21-foot skeleton is now the star of her exhibit. You can learn what happened during the 66 million years she was buried. You can also see a re-creation of the expedition's base camp in Montana. Jane was about 11 years old when she died. She was half the size of an adult T. rex like "Sue" in Chicago. Jane's big feet and strong legs suggest she was very fast. Her jaw had 17 sharp, curved teeth perfect for tearing meat.
The Jane exhibit also features other dinosaur casts. You can see a 40-foot Tyrannosaurus rex cast. Another highlight is Homer, a very complete young Triceratops fossil. Homer was found in Montana in 2005. His complete skeleton went on display in May 2013 as part of the "Homer's Odyssey" exhibit.
In 2006, a TV show called The Mystery Dinosaur aired. It was about Jane's discovery and the debate over whether she is a young T. rex or an adult Nanotyrannus. In 2007, Jane was even nominated as one of Illinois' Seven Wonders!
The Carboniferous Coal Forest: Ancient Giants
Step into a two-story tall prehistoric coal forest! This exhibit shows what the local landscape, insects, and amphibians looked like 300 million years ago. It features life-size models of giant insects and early four-legged animals. This display is like a window into the Mazon Creek fossil beds in Illinois. These beds are famous for preserving many ancient creatures. The most special fossil here is Tullimonstrum gregarium, also known as the Tully Monster. It's the official state fossil of Illinois!
The Ordovician Sea: Underwater World
Near the front desk, you'll find "The Ordovician Sea" exhibit. It displays local fossils from the Ordovician period. There's also a diorama showing what life was like in prehistoric Rockford. Imagine an enormous sea with coral reefs from 455 million years ago!
Geoscience: Shaping Our Planet
The Geoscience displays teach you how Earth was formed. You'll learn about the powerful forces that continue to shape our planet. Exhibits cover different types of geology, including a 10-foot glacier model. You can also see unusual rocks, gems, and minerals. Plus, there's information on plate tectonics and how landforms are created.
The First People: North American History
This exhibit explores the history of humankind in North America. "The First People" features a full-size wigwam and tipi. You can also see an American bison and even climb into a real dugout canoe. Video presentations teach you about the lifestyles of Native American communities and archeology.
Windows to Wilderness: Local Wildlife
"Windows to Wilderness" focuses on the wildlife found in the Rock River Valley. This exhibit includes both live animals and mounted specimens. You'll see recreations of common landscapes and environments from the area. There are also fun, hands-on activities designed especially for kids!
The Fossil Preparation Viewing Lab: Behind the Scenes
The Fossil Preparation Lab gives you a peek into how the museum works. The Burpee Museum has skilled staff who prepare and care for fossils. These fossils are collected from the museum's dig sites in places like Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Located on the lower level, this lab has large glass windows. You can watch as scientists work in the biology and paleontology laboratories. They prepare specimens for exhibits or for the museum's permanent collection. The Burpee Museum has over 100,000 items in its collection!
See also
- Hanksville-Burpee Quarry
