Pirates out, dinosaurs in at the Museum of Idaho

Staff members at the Museum of Idaho are gearing up for an all-new exhibit that brings the smallest of archaic reptilian animals into the big spotlight: a new exhibit on baby dinosaurs.

“Our new exhibit is called Hatching the Past,” said Claire Smith, the museum curator. “There’s some very unique displays. Perhaps some things that aren’t often seen in museums.”

Some of those unique displays include real fossilized dinosaur bones of adult and baby dinosaurs. The museum also has several unique displays of fully fossilized nests with dozens of young fossilized dinosaurs inside.

Many of the displays are also touchable, meaning parents with busy kids can feel more at ease.

“This is an exhibit that is accessible to all demographics,” said Rod Hansen, the museum’s director of exhibits. “We’re looking at art, we’re looking at the historical significance, we’re looking at fossils, we’re looking at a little bit of playtime for the kids.”

The exhibit’s official opening date for the public is Friday, January 15.