Edelman Fossil Park & Museum at Rowan University
66 Million Mosasaur Way
Sewell, NJ 08080
(856) 284-3466
Open: Sunday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm Closed major holidays-please check their website for changes
Admission: Adults $29.00/Children over Two $24.00/Children under two Free/Digs are extra $25.00 with Museum Admission-$34.00 for Standalone and $20.00 for Members
My review on TripAdvisor:
I had read that a new museum had opened as part of Rowan University in Glasboro on the study of pre-historic creatures, many found in New Jersey and what I found fascination is that it was built right next to one of the research pits.
The front of the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum
The Mission of the Museum:
(from the museum website)
Our mission at the Jean and Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University is to be a catalyst for good through the power of understanding the past. We deliver this through first-hand discovery of fossils and an immersive experience in the epic, real story of the dinosaurs. We bring awe and wonder to inspire action for a better world. Using the past, we put the present into perspective and give all people tools to create future actions for good. Whether it’s the pure joy of digging and exploring for exciting possibilities or an awakening of a growing realization about our place in time and how great the gift of life is, we aim to be a remembered, loved, and inspirational agent for good (Museum website).
The lake area outside the museum with the beautiful Fall foliage
This contemporary designed museums sits on a beautiful wooded site on a lake where the design of the building blends so well with the natural surroundings. With the Fall season in full display, the foliage of the surrounding woods blends so beautifully with the building and its grounds.
The side view of the museum at the lake
The museum entrance and hallway are open air and beautifully designed
After I paid my admission, I entered the open air beauty of the lobby with a wonderful little restaurant off to the side with sandwiches, drinks and pastries. To the other side of the lobby was a gift shop with an array of items perfect for both a child and an adult. The the doors to the side lead to the Terrace over looking the research pit.
The terrace just off the main lobby has gorgeous views of the research pits where new fossils are being discovered
The Fossil Pit:
(from the museum website)
Dig into the past at the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum’s Quarry in Mantua, NJ, where you can search for real fossils from 66 million years ago! More than 100,000 fossils have been discovered at this incredible site, including mosasaurs, sea turtles, shark teeth, and more.
Your quarry adventure includes up to 60 minutes of hands-on fossil digging, plus a fossil to take home! Come ready to explore in comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes – rubber boots are recommended. All guests entering the quarry must have a ticket; children ages 2 and under are free. Guests must be at least 16 years old to dig independently.
I was not able to spend too much time out here as they were preparing for a wedding
The was a small cafe just off the lobby with a really nice menu that was getting ready to close for the afternoon
https://www.efm.org/quarrygrounds
The Beverage and snack area of the museum restaurant
The restaurant is open for both breakfast and lunch and its selection is very nice. It was closing for the day when I arrived and they have a nice assortment of things to eat.
The Gift shop was on the other side of the lobby
The main part of the museum was down the hall and gave me an interesting perspective of how New Jersey was part of Dinosaur Age. What I liked about the museum was it challenges us with the past when we feel we can control the environment. I liked how it questions our own future.
The sign in the Main Gallery before you enter
The entrance to the main exhibition gallery
The main Dinosaur Gallery
The Teeth vs Tonnage exhibit
The Teeth and Tonage display
Dinosaur display lurking
The back of the gallery
The main Dinosaur Gallery
The Eagle Ray sign
The Eagle Ray
Creatures from the deep
Sea turtles
The Ammonoids sign
The Ammonoids display
The Ammonoids display
I thought the dinosaur displays dazzled with their detailed information and their interpretation of these ancient creatures. The life sized models really showed the day to day life and survival of these mammals.
The Sea Rex
The Sea Rex display
The Sea Rex up close
The Giants Flying Reptiles
The flying reptiles display
The Circle of Life exhibition
The Hall of Hope and Distinction:
(from the museum website)
This captivating experience highlights the asteroid impact that ended the dinosaurs 66 million years ago and the current climate crisis threatening a Sixth Extinction, while inspiring visitors to take action against climate change (Museum website).
The history of dinosaurs in New Jersey
The Fifth Extinction display
The room contained pictures of birds and mammals that are now extinct or on their way to being extinct. This is a cautionary tail of what can happen when we do not respect the environment
Critter Cover on the Lower Level:
(from the museum website)
Step into Critter Cove, where the wonders of today connect to the creatures of the past! Come face-to-face with incredible critters, from hands-on sea stars to a powerful monitor lizard. This isn’t just an exhibit, it’s a time-traveling adventure through evolution! Discover living descendants of ocean-dwelling invertebrates, dinosaur-age reptiles, and hardy mammal ancestors that defied extinction. Packed with excitement and discovery, Critter Cove is an unforgettable thrill for explorers of all ages!
The lower level aqua room and interaction room has tanks with small sea creatures we could interact with but I did not attempt to touch them. I loved seeing the small string rays and starfish. It was also interesting to hear from the naturalist about the conditions of our beaches and the ocean surrounding New Jersey.
The touch pool has various fish and aquatic life
This turtle was peaking out at me
After I toured the museum, I toured the grounds around the property and walked around the lake where the museum sits on its edge. The foliage was breathtaking that day.
The lake in the early Fall afternoon
The view of the museum on the side of the lake
The museum even has a family playground with pre-historic creatures to play on. I thought the design was quite clever.
The front of the playground outside the museum
The playground with its dinosaur themed equipment
The playground from a distance
For a university research museum, I thought it offered a lot for the public to see and experience. I did not know that New Jersey had such a rich history of pre-historic life in its past.
