Carter County Museum facts for kids
| Established | 1936 |
|---|---|
| Location | 306 N. Main Street, Ekalaka, Montana |
| Type | Local history, natural history |
The Carter County Museum is a cool place in Ekalaka, Montana. It's a museum that shows off the history of the area and its amazing natural world. It first opened its doors in 1936. This makes it the very first county museum ever in Montana!
The museum is also a special stop on the Montana Dinosaur Trail. This trail connects different museums across the state that have awesome dinosaur exhibits. At the Carter County Museum, you can see lots of dinosaur fossils. You can also learn about how people lived on ranches and homesteads long ago. There's even a room dedicated to local people who served in wars since Carter County started in 1917.
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Discovering Dinosaurs
Carter County is home to a part of the Hell Creek Formation. This is a famous rock layer where many dinosaur fossils are found. Because of this, many fossil hunters, called paleontologists, visit the area every summer. They search for more ancient bones and clues about dinosaurs.
Famous Fossils
Fossils found in Carter County are so important that they are displayed in many science museums across the country. The Carter County Museum itself has some very special fossils. These were mostly found on private land back in the 1930s and 1940s. One of the most complete Edmontosaurus skeletons ever found is here. It was once called Anatotitan copei. You can also see a full Triceratops skull! The dinosaur exhibits at the museum change over time. This means there's always something new to see from their amazing collection.
Local History and Nature
Besides dinosaurs, the museum also has many exhibits about other animals that lived later. You can also learn about the cool geological features of the area. The museum shows off a wide range of interesting things.
Life in Early Ekalaka
You can see old firearms and equipment from the early days of Ekalaka. There are also pictures of towns that grew and then disappeared over the last century. The museum helps you imagine what life was like for the thousands of early homesteaders. These brave people tried to make a living on the dry land of Montana.
Dino Shindig Event
The Dino Shindig is a super fun annual event that started in 2013. It brings together paleontologists, dinosaur fans, and local community members. It's a whole weekend packed with exciting activities!
What Happens at Dino Shindig?
During the Dino Shindig, you can attend interesting talks by experts. There are also fun activities just for kids. You might even get to go on field trips to look for fossils! Plus, there's live music and much more. Famous scientists like Kirk Johnson and Jack Horner have given talks here. This event happens every year on the last weekend of July. People from all over the world come to enjoy it!
