This Fall at the Museum: Fossils, Fossils and More Fossils!

As leaves on the National Mall begin to change color and a crisp breeze cools the muggy D.C. summer, the National Museum of Natural History is gearing up for a paleopalooza of fossil-themed events.

Museum visitors will have the opportunity to hold real fossils in the “David H. Koch Hall of Fossils - Deep Time,” hear from a renowned paleoartist and watch a new documentary about the most iconic of all dinosaurs—Tyrannosaurus rex. Learn more about these events and much more below!

See Tyrannosaurus rex’s latest closeup on the big screen
September 19, 6:30 P.M. ET

With a mouthful of dagger-like teeth and a bite that could shatter bone, Tyrannosaurus rex was seemingly made to terrorize the big screen. But this iconic dinosaur was much more than a movie monster. T. rex was a living, breathing animal that lived during the final days of the “Age of Dinosaurs.”

New fossils are helping researchers flesh out this prehistoric predator. One such discovery happened a few years ago in the badlands of North Dakota, when three young boys stumbled across an entombed skeleton belonging to a juvenile T. rex.

The discovery, and subsequent excavation, are featured in the new film, “T. REX.” The Giant Screen Films production also provides insight into similar fossil discoveries that are refining researchers’ understanding of how T. rex actually lived.

Museum visitors will have an opportunity to catch a special screening of the new film. After the screening, the film’s producer Andy Wood, expedition leader Tyler Lyson and paleontologist and lead adviser for the film Tom Holtz will discuss the new discovery and answer audience questions. Liam and Jessin Fisher and Kaiden Madsen, the three young fossil hunters who discovered the juvenile T. rex, will also make a special appearance. The film’s companion graphic novel will also be available to purchase at the museum’s bookstore.

The event is free but registration is required. Update: registration is currently at capacity.

Play a new board game during a night filled with fun fungi
September 24, 6:30 P.M. ET

Calling all fungi fanatics! The makers of the popular board game about birds, “Wingspan,” have created an exciting new game about mushrooms titled “Undergrove” that is sure to appeal to gamers and amateur mycologists alike.

Museum visitors are welcome to a conversation with “Undergrove” game designer Elizabeth Hargrave, museum entomologist Ted Schultz, who specializes in studying fungus-farming ants, and biologist Ian Medeiros, a Peter Buck Fellow at the museum. Rebecca Johnson, the associate director for science and chief scientist at the museum, will moderate the conversation to learn more about the experts’ work around fungi and symbiotic relationships, appreciating biodiversity and what makes them excited about the wild world of mushrooms.

After the conversation, stick around to learn how to play “Undergrove” with game tables facilitated by Labyrinth Games, chat with museum experts, color a lichen and enjoy late hours at the Museum’s shop.

The event is free but registration is required. Update: registration is currently at capacity.

Celebrate National Fossil Day at the museum
October 16, 10:00 A.M. ET

With more than 40 million fossil specimens, the National Museum of Natural History is home to one of the world’s premier collections of ancient life. It is also the ideal place to celebrate National Fossil Day.

The fossil festivities are free and family friendly. They will take place amongst the Nation’s T. rex and other spectacular specimens in the museum’s “Deep Time” hall of fossils. Educators and museum staff will be on hand to answer any fossil-related questions and visitors will even be able to touch a few fossils from the museum’s collection.

Learn how researchers use genetic clues to understand human evolution
October 17, 11:30 A.M. ET

DNA holds the story of our ancestors. The human genome is rife with clues on how ancient populations mixed as they moved around. It also illustrates how factors like disease and natural selection have shaped our species over the hundreds of thousands of years.

Advances in sequencing present-day and ancient DNA have opened up unprecedented opportunities to use genetic data to better understand human biology and disease. One of the most groundbreaking findings from recent genomic studies is the discovery of gene flow from archaic hominins — Neanderthals and Denisovans — into the ancestors of modern humans.

In the latest installment of the museum’s Human Origins Today series, genetic researcher Priya Moorjani, of the Center for Computational Biology at University of California, Berkeley, will explore how scientists utilize the genomes of thousands of contemporary individuals to characterize the legacy of ancient ancestry in modern humans. These analyses highlight the power of genomic data to illuminate our evolutionary history and answer enduring questions about human origins and adaptation.

This online presentation will be moderated by museum paleoanthropologist and educator, Briana Pobiner.

Learn how a renowned paleoartist brings ancient creatures to life
October 17, 6:30 P.M. ET

It takes a detailed mix of art and science to recreate animals that disappeared millions of years ago. And few, if any, are able to do it better than Jay Matternes, a renowned paleoartist and wildlife illustrator whose works have graced the covers of magazines and been displayed in museums around the world, including the National Museum of Natural History.

Matternes will speak at the museum alongside Richard Milner, an anthropologist and science historian who authored the new book Jay Matternes: Paleoartist and Wildlife Painter. The two will also participate in a discussion with NMNH director Kirk Johnson. Afterwards, copies of the new book will be available for purchase and signing.

The event is free but registration is required.

Celebrate actor Henry Winkler in the museum’s historic Baird Auditorium
October 21, 6:45 P.M. ET

Most know Henry Winkler from his star turn on the hit show “Happy Days” or his decades of distinguished work as a character actor. But Winkler, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 31, has also authored a series of lauded children’s books that offer a funny and realistic look at life for a child who struggles with dyslexia.

For his role amplifying important discussions about dyslexia, Winkler will receive the John P. McGovern Award from Smithsonian Associates in the museum’s historic Baird Auditorium. In addition to the award presentation, Winkler will also discuss his career and his path to stardom and how the various causes he advocates for connect to his roles as an actor, author, comedian, producer and director.

This event will be ticketed and is run by Smithsonian Associates.

Gain an appreciation for the vital role played by both bats and arachnids
October 26, 10:00 A.M. ET

When Halloween season rolls around, seemingly spooky critters like bats and spiders flap and scurry their way into the zeitgeist. But these creatures should be celebrated instead of feared. Both bats and spiders serve important ecosystem roles by keeping insect populations in check. 

In celebration of Bat Week, the museum is collaborating with the United States Forest Service to hold a bat-themed extravaganza. Researchers studying arachnids will also be on site to answer any questions about spiders and show off specimens from the museum’s collection. 

This event is fit for the whole family (those so inclined are more than welcome to wear bat- or spider-themed attire). It will take place in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center on the museum’s ground floor and is free to attend.

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Jack Tamisiea | | READ MORE

Jack Tamisiea is a Science Communications Specialist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. In addition to covering all things natural history for the museum's blog, Smithsonian Voices, he tracks media coverage and coordinates filming activities for the museum's Office of Communications and Public Affairs. Jack recently completed his masters in science writing at Johns Hopkins University and his writing has appeared in the New York Times, Scientific American, National Geographic and other science-focused publications. In his free time, he loves exploring the outdoors with a sketchbook and camera. You can read more of Jack's work at https://jacktamisiea.com.