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The Hall of Florida Fossils is now open! Click here to read more...The 5,000 square foot exhibit is designed to illustrate the history of the Florida Platform from its emergence above the sea millions of years ago to the present. The Age of Mammals (since the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago) is presented to the visitor in a walk-through-time format (Prologue, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, Pliocene, Pleistocene, Recent, Epilogue) that boasts of over 30 skeletons and hundreds of specimens and artifacts. The innovative design of a series of ramps wrapping around a central topographic island capitalizes on the 25-foot high ceilings. Many of our skeletal mounts are suspended, a feature that allows for the display of skeletons in more dynamic poses than possible otherwise. Augmenting the fossil material and artifacts is fine artwork created both by FLMNH staff and other noteworthy artisans specializing in paleolife. Special Care:The exhibit is proud to announce its use of predominantly sustainable ("green") materials to construct the infrastructure and exhibit components. In a societal climate where environmental conservation should be of global concern, and in a state that is actively trying to protect its unique and delicate habitats, the FLMNH is taking steps to set standards for the new millennium. The FLMNH's Fossil Hall looks forward to reaching out to their community by making the exhibit accessible to a wide range of visitors. Special attention will be paid to the physically challenged. Not only has the exhibit been designed for safe wheelchair accessibility, but, although natural history exhibits are rarely tactile, the Hall of Florida Fossils will include Braille label copy, touch items representing much of the exhibited material, and in the future, audio tours. |
