Our Free Gallery

Our Free Fossil Gallery at Past & Present is a fantastic collection of fossils and minerals from around the world! 500 square feet of exhibit space is devoted exclusively to the exhibition of geologic specimens for your enjoyment, with a large focus on fossils and minerals. The fossil gallery features many of our old specimens, and showcases new acquisitions. 

We have many permanent displays along with various rotating exhibits. In Past & Present’s museum you can find a cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull and Triceratops skull, several species of the New York State fossil eurypterid, the leg of our dinosaur Edmontosaurus at almost 9′ tall, and much more.

You might also see two life size shark jaw models of the prehistoric marine predator Carcharodon megalodon. (One has real teeth). Other exhibits feature Pleistocene mammals, sharks, fish, reptiles and amphibians. 

We also have a “Fossil of the Month” exhibit, featuring a different fossil or mineral each month. Previous months we have showcased an incredibly preserved and prepared fossil crab and an exquisite Eurypterid fossil. 

We thank teachers and students, scout groups, summer programs, and individuals who have enjoyed and supported our efforts to help make our museum a success!
We hope you will stop by to visit and tell us what your favorite thing to see was!

 

 

  

All Photos on this Page are of Specimens You Can See in Our Museum!

One of the most spectacular pieces of amber showing a spider just after it cocooned a grasshopper in silk.

Fossilized manatee teeth.  

Here I am standing in front of a jaw of the prehistoric shark, Carcharodon megalodon. The teeth are real in this jaw, but the jaw is reconstructed because the real jaws are made of cartilage and do not preserve.

This is my collecting buddy for many years… my Dad. He passed away May 2014 after a very difficult battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was by far the most supportive of any one I know, and is greatly missed. I love you Dad!

This is the very rare eurypterid Paracarcinosoma from Western New York. 
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