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 to learn about local history and nature. You can find it in Ekalaka, Montana. This museum started way back in 1936. It was actually the very first county museum in all of Montana!
The museum is also part of the Montana Dinosaur Trail. This trail connects several museums across the state. They all have amazing dinosaur displays. At the Carter County Museum, you can see huge dinosaur bones. You can also learn about ranch life, early settlers, and local heroes.
Contents
Exploring the Museum's Collections
Dinosaur Discoveries
Carter County is special because it has part of the Hell Creek Formation. This is a famous rock layer where many dinosaur fossils are found! Scientists called paleontologists visit the area every summer. They search for more fossilized bones.
Many fossils from Carter County are now in big science museums. The Carter County Museum has some very important fossils too. These were mostly found on private land in the 1930s and 1940s. One of the most complete Edmontosaurus skeletons was found here. It's a type of duck-billed dinosaur. You can also see a full Triceratops skull! The museum often changes its dinosaur exhibits. This means there's always something new to see.
Montana's Past and Nature
Besides dinosaurs, the museum shows off other ancient animals. You can also learn about the cool geology of the area. The museum has many different exhibits. You can see old firearms and equipment from early Ekalaka. There are pictures of towns that used to exist. You can also learn about the thousands of early homesteaders. These brave people tried to make a life on the dry land.
Join the Dino Shindig!
The Dino Shindig is a super fun event that started in 2013. It happens every year! Scientists, dinosaur fans, and local people all come together. It's a whole weekend of exciting activities.
You can listen to talks from famous paleontologists. There are special activities just for kids. You can even go on field trips to look for fossils! Plus, there's live music and more. This event takes place on the last weekend of July. People from all over the world come to enjoy it!
