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Dinosaurs Are Returning To Jacksonville's Museum Of Science And History

MOSH
A Kentrosaurus will be on display at MOSH this summer.

A variety of dinosaur exhibits have appeared at Jacksonville's Museum of Science and History over the years.

The latest – Expedition: Dinosaur – officially opens on May 25. It will feature life-size, animatronic dinosaurs with realistic movements and sound that can be controlled.“MOSH’s mission is to inspire the joy of lifelong learning by bringing history and the sciences to life,” said MOSH curator Paul Bourcier in an email to WJCT News.

Dinosaurs never actually roamed Florida, according to Bourcier. What would become the Sunshine State was underwater at the time. 

Dinosaurs roamed the earth until about 65 million years ago, when they were wiped out during the Cretaceous period, according to the Smithsonian.

animatronic albertosaurus model
Credit MOSH
An albertosaurus is among the dinosaurs coming to MOSH.

The curatorial consultant for the MOSH exhibition is Thomas Williamson, the curator of paleontology at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.

He was featured on a 2017 episode of NOVA on PBS called The Day The Dinosaurs Died. Watch the whole program here

"egg hatchery" interactive display
Credit MOSH
A variety of educational displays will be a part of the exhibition.

Other elements in the exhibit, which will span the museum’s three floors, include an augmented reality sandbox that teaches guests how Earth’s climate is affected by its landscape.

“Expedition: Dinosaur is a fun, immersive family experience that offers great hands-on opportunities to learn about fascinating creatures that capture our imagination,” said Bourcier.

MOSH will also be hosting a concert titled Music for Dinosaurs & Other Fantastic Beasts, with Cellogram and Valerie Ghent, on June 1, 2019, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. to help mark the exhibit’s arrival.

Expedition: Dinosaur will run through Sept. 2. 

MOSH admission prices:

  • Adults: $15
  • Seniors: $12
  • Military $12
  • Youth (age 3 und up): $12
  • Children 2 and under: free
  • Students: $12
  • Teachers: $12
  • Young adults: $12

More information is available on the MOSH’s website.

animatronic triceratops model
Credit MOSH
The triceratops' frills and horns have traditionally been seen as defensive armor. More recent theories find it probable they were used in courtship and dominance displays.

Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.

Bill joined WJCT News in September of 2017 from The Florida Times-Union, where he served in a variety of multimedia journalism positions.